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MEMOIRS 



OF 



ANDREW JACKSON, 

MAJOR-GENERAL 



IN THB ARMY OP THE 



A3 KITED ^TATIiS-, 



AND 



COMMANDER IN CHIEF 



OF THE 



DIVISION OF THE SOUTH. 



BY S. PUTNAM WAL90, Esq. 

Compiler of " Bobbins* .TourndQ* and Author of the 

" Presidents Tour" 



THIRD EDITION 

' HARTFORD: 
PUBtlSHED BY SILAS ANDRUSo 

1819. 






DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT, SS. 

^' ^' Be it remembered, That on the twenty-ninth day of 
September, in the forty-third year of the Independence of the 
United States of America, John Russell, jun. of the said district, 
liath deposited in this office the title of a Book,.the right whereof, 
he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit, — Memoirs 
of Andrew Jackson, Major-General in the Army of the United 
States, and Commander in Chief of the Division of the South, by 
S, Putnam Waldo, Esq. Compiler of *• Robbins' Journal," and 
Author of the " President's Tour/* In conformity to the act of 
Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encoui'- 
agement of learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts and 
Books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the 
times therein mentioned." 

R. I. INGERSOLL, 
Clerk of the District of Connecticut. 
A true copy of Record, examined and sealed by me, 

R. I. INGERSOLL, 
Clerk of the District of Connecticut, 




TO THE OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS 

OP THE 

AMERICAN REPUBLIC. 

GALLANT COUNTRYMEN :^ 

WITH that frankness, which in your 
profession is a distinguishing characterestic, I offer 
this Volume to you, without apology. Tlie fame 
of the exalted Chief, who is the subject of it, how- 
ever imperfectly his civil and military character 
may be pourtraycd, will, I am confident, entitle it 
to a favourable reception from you. 
With admiration for 

your gallant achievements, 

I am your Oft, Serv^t. 

S, PUTNAM WALDO. 



TO THE READER. 

THE higTi estimation in which Maj. Gen. Andre^v 
Jackson, is justly holden by his countrymen, was the in- 
ducementto present them with the following Memoirs of 
his Life. Ever since his name became identified with 
the glory of his country, the author has assiduously sought 
for the most authentic information relative to his origin, 
and his progress from humble life to his present elevation. 
The facts relative to his parentage, his birth, education, 
and early pursuits, were derived from a Southern Corres- 
pondent, whose means of knowledge, entitles his commu- 
nlcations to the character of absolute verity. 

From the early entrance of Gen. Jackson into public 
life and from the laudable propensity of Americans to 
preserve, in the various periodical journals, detached inci- 
dents of the lives of American Worthies, it needs only in- 
dust.T and research to collate them. The manner m 
which they are arranged, and the style in which they are 
detailed, depends wholly upon the author. 

To give additional interest to the volume, a number ot 
Gen. Jackson's Official Reports, and some selections 
from his numerous Letters, and Addresses are incorpora- 
ted into the work. They not only give the most satis- 
factory account of the battles in which he fought, and the 
measures he pursued; but they show that he wields the 
pen of a Scholar, as well as the sword of a Soldier. 

Apologies for the defects of the work, cannot remove 
them, and will not be attempted. It is therefore submit- 
ted to the indulgence of the reader by, 

THE AUTHOR. 
Hartford, (Conn.) Oct. 1818. 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION. 

Adoption of American Constitution — Pursuits of Americans — Dim- 
inution of Military ardour — Declaration of War — Militia — Vol- 
unteers — Reg-ular Troops — Andrew Jackson. p. 9 

CHx\P. I. 

His family, birth, and early pursuits — Enters into the army of the 
Revolution — is captured by the British — resists an illegal order 
of a British officer — receives a wound, and is committed to g'aol 
— loses his surviving brother — his mother dies of giief — he 
completes liis literary studies. p. 19 

CHAP. II. 

Incidents of early life — of Andrew Jackson's — He commences and 
completes the study of law — Patriotism of American Lawyers 
— He commences the practice of law, and emigrates to the 
South-West Territory — is appointed Attorney -general — mem- 
ber of the Tennessee Convention — a Representative in Con- 
gress — a Senator in Congress — a Judge of the Suprame Court 
in Tennessee — and retires to private life. p. 31 

CHAP. III. 

_Mr. Jackson's career in civil life — commencement of his Military 
career — Major-general of Tennessee Militia — Militia forces — 
American savages — reason for their hatred and vengeance 
against Anglo-Americans. Religious fanaticism among them— 
'I'he Prophet Francis and his brother Tecamseh — Effect of their 
assumed divinity — Tender of Gen. Jackson, and his Volunteers 
to the government of the U. States. p. 40 

CHAP. IV. 

Gen. Jackson and Tennessee Volunteers — Importance of the river 
Missisippi — Mr. Monroe's solicitude for the security of it, and 
the Western States — Volunteers rendezvous at Nashville, Tenn. 
descend the Ohio and Missisippi — encamp at Natchez — Order 
for their discharge, from Mr. Armstrong — disobeyed by Gen, 
Jackson — Volunteer return to Tennessee, and are discharged 
— Approbation of the government. p. 51 

J # 



VI CONTENTS. 



CHAP. V. 



Approbation and censure of Gen. Jackson — implacable hostility of 
savages increased by British and Spanish emissaiies, and British 
ravages — Indian massacre of garrison, women and children, at 
Fort Mimms — Expedition from Tennessee against Creeks pre- 
pared — Gen. Jackson as'sumes the command — Colonel Coffee — 
difference between Militia, Volunteers, and Regular troops — 
Gen. Jackson proceeds to the frontiers — prepares for active 
service — Deficiency of provisions — Col. Dyer destroys Litta- 
flitches — First victory over Creeks at Tallushatches — Gen. Cof- 
fee's report of it to Gen. Jackson. p. 59 

CHAP. VI. 

Tennessee forces — Collisions in armies — Establishment at Fort 
•Strother — Perilous situation of friendly Creeks — Dispatch to 
Gen. White — his conduct — Battle of Talladega — Gen. Jackson's 
account of it. p. 76 

CHAP, VII. 

Consequences of Brig. Gen. White's conduct — Hillabees sue for 
peace to Ge)i. Jackson — Geji. White destroys their towns — 
Measures of the Georgia Legislature — Victory at Avtojtsee — 
Brig. Gen. Floyd's account of it — Gen. Jackson's situation in 
December, 1813 — Mutiny among his troops — also in Gen. Cof- 
fee's Brigade — Dismissal of both. p. 85 

CHAP. VIII. 

Gen. Jackson's situation at the commencement of 1814 — his hopes 
revive — Victory at Eccanachaca, or Holy Ground — Witherford, 
the Indian Prophet — Col. Carroll joins Gen. Jackson — Victories 
at Emitckfaiv^ Jan. 22d — at E7iotachopco, the 24th — Gen. Jack- 
son's ofHcial report of them — Applause bestowed upon soldiers, 

p. 97 
CHAP. IX. 

Gen. .Jackson prepares for a new expedition — receives an account 
of the victory at Chatahouchee — adopts a new mode to obtain 
supplies — Army Contractoi's — Energetic measures — Great vic- 
tory at Tohopeka — Savage warfare — British and Spanish emis- 
saries. P- 118 

CHAP. X. 

(yonclusion of Creek W^ar — Return of Gen. Jackson and Volunteers 
— their reception, and separation — Gen. Jackson is appointed 
Bi'ig. Gen in U. S. army — also a Commissioner to treat with 
Creek Indians — concludes a treaty — Foreign emissaries — Indian 
Eloquence — Speech of Withertbrd—of Big W^an'ior — of Tecunir 
Beh, and his death. p. 131 



CONTENTS. 



CHAP. XI. 



rfi 



Spanish agg-fessions and perfidy-'-Gen. Jackson's measures to de- 
tect Manrcquez, the Governour of Florida — his letter to him— 
Danger of the 7th Military district — Gen. Jackson's appeal to 
the g-overnment — Mr. Monroe's measures of defence — Attack 
upon Fort Bowyer — gallant defence of Major Lawrence — his 
official report of it. p. 148 

CHAP. XII. 

Gen. Jackson is appointed Maj. Gen. in U. S. army-Fort Bowyer- 
its iiuportanee, and its-dang-er — Gen. Jackson determines to re- 
duce Pensacola — x\n'ival of Gen. Coffee with Tennessee Volun- 
teers and Missisippi Drag'oons — Capture of Pensacola — Gen. 
Jackson's account of it — Destruction of the Barancas — He returns 
to Mobile — Col. NicoU's proclamation — Remark. p. 166 

CHAP. XIIl. 

Gen. Jackson's arrival at New Orleans — ^perilous situation of that 
place — reliance upon distant forces — his address to the people 
of Louisiana-timidity of the leg-islature-evidence of disaffection, 
and traitorous conduct — Declaration of Martial Law — Measures 
of defence— Arrival of reinforcements — Landing- of the enemy 
—Battle of the 23d. December— Official report of it. p. 180 

CHAP. XIV. 

Benevolent exertions of the Ladies of New Orleans — Gen. Jack- 
son selects the final position of his army — Loss of the naval force 
— Capt. Patterson — Lieut. Jones — Harmony between land and 
naval forces — Defence at the mouth of the Missisippi — Ameri- 
can lines on the east and west side of the river described — Bat- 
tle of the 28th December — of the 1st January — Attempts up- 
on the left wing of the American army. p. 199 

CHAP. XV. 

Oen Jackson's and Sir Edward Pakenham's armies from the 1st, 
to 8th January — Gen, Morgan's lines — Battle of the 8th Janua- 
ry — Gen. Jackson's report of it — Gen. Morgan's retreat — Gen. 
Jackson's address to the armies — he regains the right bank of 
the Missisippi — Bombardment, and attack upon Fort St. Philips 
— Maj. Overton s report to Gen. Jackson. p. 213 

CHAP. XVI. 

Situation of the armies after the battle of the 8th January — Mel- 
ancholy and distressing scene — Operations at the mouth of the 
Missisippi — Departure of the enemy — Gen. Jackson's address 
to the American troops — Disparitv in the loss of the two armies. 

p. 235 



via CONTENTS^ 

CHAP. XVII. 

Gen. Jackson appoints a day of Thanksg-iving and Praise, for the 
Victories obtamed, and for the preservation of the city, upon 
the 23d January — Doct. Dubourg's address — the general's an- 
swer — continues his exertions to render the country more se- 
cure — Surrender of Fort Bovvyer — Peace proclaimed — Dis- 
charge of troops — Gen. Jackson's address to them — Remark. 

p. 245 
CHAP. XVIII. 

Recapitulation of facts relative to the proclamation of Martial 
Law, writ of habeas corpus, Louaillier, and Judge Hall — Arrest 
of Gen- Jackson — his defence, conviction, and fine — Trial by 
jury — Popular feeling — Moderation of Gen Jackson— he advises 
to a sacred regard for civil power. p. 257 

CHAP. XIX. 

Gen. Jackson reth-es from New Orleans — anrives at Nashville, his 
place of residence — Reflection — He receives a message to re- 
pair to the seat of government, to assist in arranging the Peace 
Establishment of the U. S. army — Difficulty of that duty — Votes 
of thanks, 8cc. to Gen. Jackson — He repairs to the seat of gov- 
ernment — Civilities received upon his passage, and on his arri- 
val — Returns to his head-quarters at Nashville, and in 1816, re- 
pairs to New Orleans, and arranges tlie army. p. 271 

CHAP. XX. 

Gen. Jackson negociates a treaty for extinguishment of Indian 
titles to land — Issues an order relative to tliis subject— Receives 
a silver vase from the Ladies of South Carolina, &.c. — Returns 
to Nashville — Issues an important general ordei" — Prepares to 
defend his Division — Commencement of Seminole War — Gen. 
Gaines attacks the Seminoles — Gen. Jackson addresses the 
"Tennessee Volunteers" — repairs to Georgia- — and enters with 
his army into Florida — Justification of that measure — he cap- 
tures St. Marks. p. 283 

CHAP. XXI. 

General Jackson at Fort St. Marks, Florida — captures and exe- 
cutes Francis the Prophet, and an Indian Chief— at the same 
place, takes Arbuthnot and Ambristie— 'details a general court- 
martial for their trial — approves of the sentence and orders 
them to be executed — Remark — Gen. Jackson marches for Pen- 
sacola — captures it — appoints Col. King to the command of it, 
and retires to Nashville, Tenn. p. 301 

CONCLUSION. 

Fncidents of Gen. Jackson's life— his cliaracter. p. 307 



INTRODUCTION. 

Adoption of American Constitution — Pursuits of Americans- 
Diminution of Military ardour — Declaration of War — Militia— 
Volunteers— Regular Troops— Andrew Jackson. 

FROM the conclusion of the War for Ameri- 
can Independence, to the commencement of that 
war which secured it, the Americans were almost 
wholly diverted from the study of military tactics, 
and no opportunity had occurred to call into ope- 
ration the military science acquired in the revolu- 
tionary struggle. The mild arts of peace were sub- 
stituted for the ruthlees carnage of war ; and a 
rising people, who had severed the ligament that 
bound them to an European monarch, commenced 
the enjoyment of self-govern^uent. 

To organize a Republic, consisting of a confe(t- 
cracy of a number of distinct governments, having 
different, and in some respects contending interests, 
was a task which reqiiired, and called forth the 
science and the energies of the first statesmen which 
the world had produced. 

Upon the conclusion of that war, the people of 
the American Republic, as it regarded a form of 
government, were " in a state of nature^ Des- 
titute of a government of their own making, 
they had before them the lights of antiquity, and 



10 INTRODUCTION. 

the practical knowledge of modern ages. With 
the scrutinizing research of statesmen, and the 
calm deliberation of philosophers, they proceeded 
to establish a constitution of Civil Government, as 
the supreme law of the land. The establishment 
of this constitution is, perhaps, without a parallel 
in the history of the civilized world. It was not 
the unresisted mandate of a successful usurper, nor 
was it a government imposed upon the people by 
a victorious army. It was digested by profound 
statesmen, who aimed to secure all the rights of 
the people who lidd acquired them, by their toil, 
their courage, and their patriotism. They aimed 
also to give to tlie government, sufficient energy to 
command respect. 

To the people of the American Republic, a Con- 
stitution was presented for i/ie// deliberation, and 
for their adoption. It was adopted, not with en- 
tire unanimity, but by a majority of the people, 
sufficiently respectable to give its operation a 
promising commencement The people, having 
emancipated themselves from the power of a 
British monarch — having successfully resisted his 
lords and his commons, looked with jealousy upon 
those who were called to the exercise of the pow- 
er which they had themselves delegated to their 
own countrymen. The excellency of the consti- 
tution was tested by the practical application 
of its principles ; and the patriotism and integrity 



INTRODUCTION. 1| 

of all the early officers who derived their power 
from it, were acknowledged by their admiring 
countrymen. 

The people, having witnessed the establishment 
of a republican government, of their own choice, 
relapsed from the energetic character of republican 
soldiers, to the more gentle ones of agriculturalists, 
merchants, and mechanics. 

Agriculturalists found a capacious field for the 
exercise of their pursuits in the widely extended 
and fertile regions of the Republic. Land specu- 
lation became the business of the few, who had 
adequate funds, and the conversion of the wilder- 
ness into fertile fields, the pursuits of those who 
had industry and enterprise. 

The Merchants found a world before them as the 
theatre upon which their energies were to be ex- 
erted. Enjoying peace with all nations, while 
other nations were contending with each other for 
dominion or wealth, the merchants of the Repub- 
lic became the carriers for the commercial world. 
Into their employ they drew thousands of their 
countrymen, and soon rendered the American 
States the second nation in the world, in point of 
commercial consequence. 

Manufacturers began to struggle for the rank 
which they hold in many of the countries in the 
old world. It was long an ineffectual struggle — 
But as the " restrictive system''^ was deemed neces- 



12 INTRODUCTION. 

sary from the unceasing encroachments of Europe- 
an governments upon the commercial rights of 
America, they rapidly advanced in wealth, and gave 
employ to a numerous class of citizens. 

These three great objects of pursuit, embraced 
the whole American people, if we except those of 
the learned professions. These employments were 
all calculated to divert attention from military tac- 
tics, and to confine it rather to the accumulation of 
wealth, than to the advancement of national glory, 
by military achievements. In addition to this, the 
very nature of the American Constitution, was 
calculated to repress military ardour, being more 
calculated to make happy citizens^ than renowned 
soldiers. The surviving patriots of the revolution 
were following each other in rapid succession to the 
tomb, and the rising youth of America were sel- 
dom aroused to patriotism by the t^les of the revo- 
lutionary contest. 

Sudden wealth was the result of the exertions of 
the different classes of Americans. The voluptu- 
ousness and effeminacy, usually attendants upon 
the possession of it, were rapidly diminishing that 
exalted sense of national glory, for which the Sax- 
ons, the ancient stock from which Americans 
and Englishmen trace their origin, were always 
celebrated. 

As the collisions between the American Repub- 
lic, and the British empire, began to assume an 



INTRODUCTieN. tS 

hostile aspect, frequent negociations were commen- 
ced, and as often terminated in widening the breach 
between the two governments. 

The murder of Fierce^ by order of a British naval 
officer, although, from the tranquilized, and ahnost 
paralized state of public feeling, it did not excite 
the same indignation as the massacre of Boston 
citizens, by British troops, before the revolutionary 
war, yet it was no less an outrage upon humanity 
and national dignity, than that barbarous deed. 

The constant impressment of American seamen, 
although in its character a less sanguinary violation 
of national and individual rights, was a more wide- 
ly extended injury. *' The social body is oppressed, 
when one of its members is oppressed." That 
nation can hardly be said to be independent, who 
will acquiesce in an injury committed upon one of 
its citizens by another nation. It was an aphorism 
of the great Hollander, De Witt — " That no inde- 
pendent nation ought tamely to submit to a breach 
of equity and justice^ from another^ hoxvevcr line- 
qual the poiuers.'*^'^ Although an injury to indi- 
viduals^ is an injury to the nation; yet, in the attack 
upon the Chesapeake, a national vessel, the national 
dignity was directly insulted. To impress seamen 
from an U. S. frigate, belonging to an infant navy, 
whose gallantry in the Mediterranean, had excited 
the admiration, and even the jealousy of Nelson, 

• History of Holland. 



1 4 INTRODUCTION, 

produced a ferment in the American Republic 
which could never subside until ample reparation 
was obtained. 

The orders in Council — new and unauthorised 
principles of blockade^ and an invasion of the rights 
of neutrals, added to the other injuries mentioned, 
and to which might be added many more, compel- 
led the great council of the Republic to resort to 
measures more efficient than non-intercourse -^ cynbar- 
goes, and negociations. 

Facts will justify the assertion, that upon the 
momentous question whether War or Submission 
should be resorted to by Americat, the American 
people were divided in opinion ; and this division 
of opinion was ascertained by a knowledge of the 
two great political parties in the Republic. The 
Republican party exclaimed, with an ancient Ro- 
man, *' Our voice is still for War,^^ The Federal 
party, with another Roman, exclaimed, " Our 
thoughts, we must confess, are turned to Feace.^^ 

The justice, necessity, or expediency of the se- 
cond war between the American Republic and the 
Kingdom of Great Britain, cannot be discussed in 
this place ; and it might be deemed arrogance 
to attempt it at all, at this period of time. The 
authorities who alone had power " to declare War^^ 
made the declaration ; and to the American people 
w ere they responsible for the great and important 
measure. 



INTRODUCTION. 15 

It may not be inapposite to remark in this place, 
tliat a si/sternatic opposition to government is un- 
known in every part of the civilized world, except- 
ing in America and in England. This does not 
arise from any deficiency of national feeling ; for 
DO two nations on earth are more devoted to na- 
tional glory than Americans and Englishmen ; but 
it arises from that jealousy which intelligence and 
an exalted sense of liberty always produce in the 
governed towards their governoiirs. Having one 
common origin, but no longer any common inter- 
est, let the citizens of the American Republic, and 
the subjects of the British Monarch, judge for 
themselves which government most consults the 
happiness of the people, and upon which side of 
the Atlantic the greatest freedom is enjoyed. 

Until the declaration of the last war, the energy 
of the American constitution had never been test- 
ed. Under its benign influence the people had 
suddenly arisen, from infancy to manhood — from 
vassalage to freedom — from national penury to 
national wealth. Its provisions were found abun- 
dantly adequate for the government of a great 
and growing people in a state of peace. The 
jealousy or the fears of the framers of this inim- 
itable compact, had restricted the military pow- 
er. It permitted the Captain-general of the 
militia of the United States, after proper advice 
to call them into action, to " execute the laws of 



16 INTRODUCTION. 

the tmion — suppress hisurrections — and repel invar 
sions;^' and even this Jimited power became the sub- 
ject of animated discussion. 

At the commencement of the war, wc had no- 
thing that gave any idea of a Standing Army. 
Six thousand troops dispersed over a country, 
half that number of miles in length and in width, 
presented nothing but a fractured skeleton of an arr 
jmy. The American militia, although perhaps the 
best in the world, were organized by the different 
states ; from the different state governments deri- 
ved their authority, and had different attachments 
and different interests. An hundred thousand of 
them were drafted by the national authority to hold 
themselves in readiness to take the field at a mo- 
ment's warning. But the history of modern tactics 
shows that the trade of war is not learned in a mo- 
ment. Fifty thousand Vokinteers were invited to 
enrol themselves for the public defence ; but the 
amount and efficiency of this species of force d©*- 
pended upon the opinion of the people in regard to 
the justice of the war, and of the rectitude of the 
administration. ErdistmentSy from which alone an 
efficient army, for any considerable length of time 
can be produced, were authorised. In some sec- 
tions of the country, the best blood in them was 
aroused to patriotism, and the most distinguished 
citizens flew to the standard of the Republic. In 
others, it was considered a disgrace to aid, either 



INTRODUCTION. 17 

by men or 7nonei/, what was openly pronounced to 
be an " imjusi, unnatural^ wicked^ and cruel imr.^* 

From such discordant meterials, was the Ameri- 
can army of 1812, and 1813, composed. Although 
the melancholy catalogue of disasters in the cam- 
paigns of those years, was occasionally gilded by 
achievements of resplendent glory ; yet, until the 
commencement of the campaign of 1814, the Anie- 
rican armies had added but few laurels to those 
acquired in the war of the revolution. A new era 
in the military history of America the?i commenced. 
As the gathering storm, which had, for two years, 
hung over what was deemed in Europe the devoted 
Republic of America, increased in darkness and 
liorror, the character of the rising generation of 
Americans developed itself. A constellation of 
heroes suddenly arose and illuminated the Iiemis- 
phere of the western world. They conquered gen- 
erals who had become familiar with victory in the 
old world — secured for their country the indepen- 
dence acquired in the revolution, and for them- 
selves, fame, as lasting as immortality. 

Major General ANDREW JACKSON, the sub- 
ject of the following Mejvioirs, deservedly holds a 
distinguished rank amongst the veteran officers of 
the American Republic, in the last war. But while 
almost every American is anxious to join his indi- 
vidual note, to the harmonious concord of applause 

bestowed upon this distinguished chieftain, few 

2* 



18 INTRODUCTION. 

know the arduous toils, the severe privations, and 
the excessive fatigues, by which he acquired his 
fame. The writer will endeavour, in a manner as 
perspicuous as he is able, to do it ; and from mate- 
rials of unquestionable authenticity, to present the 
reader, in the following volume, a brief Biography 
of this American Hero. If the delineations will 
not be so minute as they might be in a more volu- 
minous work, it is hoped the prominent features of 
this great man's life and character, in his civil and 
military career, will be presented in their proper 
light and shade. 



MEMOIRS 



OP 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



His family, birth, and early pursuits — Enters into the army of the 
Revolution — is captured by the British — resists an illegal order 
of a British officer — receives a wound, and is committed to 
g'oal — loses his surviving brother — liis mother dies of grief — he 
completes his literary studies. 

THE birth places of statesmen, heroes, and 
poets, have often been subjects of historical investi*- 
gation, and not unfrequently of warm dispute. 
Seven cities of Greece claimed the honor of giving 
birth to Homer. The birth of illustrious men certain- 
ly imparts a consequence to the places of their na- 
tivity ; and oftentimes the only consequence they 
possess. An English civilian will visit the birth- 
place of Alfred— the 5oMer that of Mirlborough- 
thepoct those of Shakespeare and Milton. Amer- 
icans, although comparatively a new people, can 
scarcely travel in any section of their extensive Re- 
public, but they can point to the place where some 
of its great benefactors were born. The catalogue 
would swell the volume. Among the first Statesmen 
in the world, might be mentioned the members of the 



20 MEMOIRS OF 

Old Congress — Among Heroes, the oiSicers of the 
Army of the Revolution. — Among Poets, a con- 
stellation of geniuses, to whom posterity will award 
the meed of praise. 

No sooner had ANDREW JACKSON began to 
achieve those deeds of valour which furnished a 
sure presage of future eminence, than Englishmen^ 
and Scotsmen, claimed him as a native-born subject. 
They once claimed Gen. Washington. Jrishmen 
omitted to assert their claim to his nativity ; but he 
was of Irish extraction although born in America. 
His grandfather was one of the victims at the 
siege of Carrie kfergus, in Ireland ; and all his an- 
cestors, being among the humbler classes of Irish- 
men, endured the sufferings which that ill-fated and 
oppressed people have long endured from some of 
the Irish nobility, born in the bosom of that coun- 
try *, and from English noblemen sent there to gov- 
ern tlieni. 

His father, Andrew Jackson, emigrated to Amer- 
ica with his wife and two sons in the year 1765. 
Desirous that his rising family should escape 
from the oppression of the English government in 
Europe, he came to this country as an asylum from 
the rod of abused power. He landed at Charleston 
in the state of South-Carolina, and soon after estab- 
lished himself at a settlement formerly called JFax- 
saw, now the district of Marion. 

His youngest son, and the subject of these Me- 
moirs, was born at that place upon the 15th March, 



J" 
ANDREW JACKSON. ' ^1 

] 767. He began to anticipate a happy close to the 
evening of his days, in his own domestic circle, 
in a land of freedom. But before the British gov- 
ernment commenced the same systematic oppres- 
sion of their subjects in their American colonies, 
as they long had exercised over its subjects in 
Ireland^ death removed him from the storm, which 
soon after began to hang over them. He left an 
unprotected wife and three young children to en- 
dure the buffetings of it. He died at near the close 
of the year 1767. 

His surviving children, Ilugh^ Robert^ and An- 
drew, became the objects of the tender solicitude 
of their mother. Having a small patrimony left 
them, their mother with unceasing assiduity, en- 
deavoured to procure for them the rudiments of 
an English education. Situated in a country 
where she could claim connection with no human 
being but her three sons ; the eldest but little ad- 
vanced from infancy, and the youngest an infant, 
her situation required the highest exercise of fe- 
male fortitude and vigilance. But having recent- 
ly emigrated from a country where the feio roll in 
splendour through life, and the many begin and end 
it amidst sufferings, she felt animated at the idea 
that she was in a country where the rod of the great, 
or what is worse, the rod of the jietty tyrant could 
not reach her or her offspring. 

For a number of years, no event happened to 
disturb the tranquility of this venerable matron or 



^ MEMOIRS OF 

her children. By the judicious management of a 
small estate, she was enabled to aid her sons in the 
prosecution of their studies. She omitted no oppor- 
tunity to detail to them the tragical scenes througlv 
which their early ancestors had passed in Ireland, 
in the stubborn resistance they always maintained 
against oppression. The youthful reader of histo- 
ry^ may be made to glow with indignation at the 
tales of oppression. But the most pathetic des- 
cription of the historian is tameness itself when 
compared with the relations of those who have 
themselves passed through the scenes of sufferings 
inflicted by dying man upon dying men. The nar- 
rations of Mrs. Jackson, must have aroused the 
feelings of her sons to the highest pitch of enthu- 
siasm against the tyrants who had blasted the 
hopes, and destroyed the lives of their ancestors. 
She little thought, perhaps, while she was infusing 
into the tender bosoms of her sons the ardour of 
patriotism, that she would live to see two of them 
fall victims in its holy cause. 

Hugh and Robert, not being designed for either 
of the learned professions, obtained no other edu- 
cation than what the common schools at that pe- 
riod afforded. Andrew, the youngest son, was, by 
his excellent mother, designed for the ministry. In 
the Waoosaio settlement, about forty miles from 
Camden, was established an academical institution, 
in which the learned languages, and the higher 
branches of education were taught. As the in- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 23 

structor of Andrew Jackson, if he be at this time 
in life, will rtjoice in the celebrity of his pupil, it 
is but justice to remark that this academy, at the 
time he commenced his literary pursuits, afforded 
the best means of instruction in the section of the 
country in which he was born. The preceptor of 
it was a Mr. Humphries, whose christian name is 
unknown to the writer. Under his tuition, the 
subject of these memoirs, having before enjoyed 
no other advantages than what the ordinary schools 
imparted, began the study of classics. He here 
continued assiduously to pursue his studies, until 
the Vandal progress of the British armies, in the 
revolutionary war, brought thera to that part of 
South Carolina in which the family of Jackson 
were situated. 

Mrs. Jackson once more beheld the arm of Brit- 
ish power uplifted in wrath over her adopted coun- 
try, as she had before beheld it raised over the land 
of her nativity. The American forces were com- 
pelled, in that section of the country, to retreat be- 
fore a power which they could not then resist. Her 
eldest son had before enrolled himself in the armies 
of the Republic, and lost his life in its cause at the 
battle of Stono, Andrew had arrived to the age of 
fourteen years ; and, with his surviving brother 
Rcibert, was impelled, by the exalted sentiments of 
liberty and independence which he had learned 
from his mother, to fly to tlie American standard. 



24 MEMOIRS OF 

The scanty details which are yet received of the 
revolutionary contest, deprives me of the pleasure 
of mentioning the regiment and the commander of 
it, in which Andrew Jackson commenced his mili- 
tary career at the early age of fourteen. Suifice it 
to say, that at that age, with his only brother, Rob- 
ert, he entered into the American service ; prepar- 
ed, if such were the decrees of fate, to follow their 
elder brother into eternity in resisting tyrannical 
power. Effectual resistance, at that period, was 
impossible ; and the slender forces of America, in 
.S. Carolina, were compelled to retire before the 
formidable power of lord Cornwallis into the inte- 
rior of N, Carolina. This confident representative 
of British power, finding no force at that time to 
resist him, left the country — leaving behind him 
the wide-spread tracks of desolation in every part 
of it- The once tranquil and happy settlers of 
Waxsaw returned to a place which was once a 
home. The deep marks of British rapacity were 
visible in every part of the settlement ; and the 
effects of Vandal warfare were every where to be 
seen. 

Lord Rowden was in possession of Camden, and 
no sooner learned that the dispersed inhabitants of 
Waxsaio were again returned, than he availed him> 
self of the assistance of American tories to complete 
their extermination. A British major, by the name 
of Cojjln^ was the commander of this expedition. 
The inhabitants, who might all be said to belong to 



ANDREW JACKSON. 25 

the forlorn hope, determined to make at least a 
shew of resistance. They assembled at the Wax- 
saw meeting-house, to which was attached the aca- 
demy of Mr. Humphries, in which Andrew Jack- 
son had devoted himself to literature. Here they 
awaited the augmentation of their force by the ar- 
rival of their friends, and the expected approach of 
the enemy. The h opes of this resolute and patriot- 
ic band of American heroes were elated atrthe dis- 
tant approach of a body of citizens. At this pe- 
riod, the American troops could hardly be said to 
have had an uniform ; but the well known insignia 
of the British troops enabled the people to designate 
them at sight. While the little phalanx of Waoc- 
saw, expected to be joined by their friends, what 
was their astonishment when they found themselves 
surrounded by a ferocious clan of American tories, 
covered at a little distance by British dragoons ? 
The conquest was an easy one— resistance would 
have been desperation. — Eleven of the Americans 
were captured, and the rest, among whom were An- 
drew Jackson and his brother, escaped, and conceal- 
ed themselves in the adjoining forests. 

Although this is no place for reflections, yet no 
opportunity should he unimproved to express the 
inefl'able contempt and utter detestation in which 
the tories, in the revolutionary struggle, ought for 
ever to be holden. Had they merely joined the 
British standard through fear of its power, they 
might at least have been entitled to contemptuous 



26 MEMOIRS OF 

pity ; but when it is remembered that they imbru- 
ed their hands in the blood of their brethren, it 
would be a prostitution of charity to extend it to 
them. 

The next day after this affair at the JVnxsaw 
church, many of the wandering heroes who escap- 
ed from it, were captured by the British dragoons ; 
and among them were Andrew Jackson and his 
brother Robert. Immediately after they were 
taken prisoners, an event took place which devel- 
oped the future character of Jackson ; and shewed, 
that though a boy, he gave the world " assurance 
of the man." A British officer, having in pursuit 
of prisoners soiled his boots, ordered him to clean 
them. Flushed with indignation at the command, 
lie decidedly refused to obey, and demanded the 
treatment due to a prisoner of war. Enraged at 
what would have excited the admiration of a 
generous bosom, the of&cer, with a drawn sword, 
made a violent pass at Jackson^s head. Desti- 
tute of any weapon of defence, he parried the 
stroke with his hand, in which he received a se- 
vere wound. Thus early in life did Jackson be- 
come a soldier of the Republic and an unalterable 
enemy of Britain. It will be seen in the Sequel 
how essentially he has served the one, and how 
completely he has avenged the injuries he receiv 
ed from the other. 

The gallant Jackson forgot the wound he receiv- 
ed himself in his solicitude for his brother, who re 



ANDREW JACKSON. %% 

eeived at the same time a much severer one in the 
tiead after he was taken prisoner. They were 
both committed to gaol with their wounds undres- 
sed ; and, what would suffuse the cheek of a barba- 
rian with a blush, they were deprived of the only 
consolation that remained — that of sympathising 
with, and consoling each in their calamities — they 
were confined in different apartments ! They were 
here incarcerated until exchanged for British pris- 
oners, a few of whom were taken near Camden. 
The exchange of these gallant youths was a pre- 
sage to one of them to exchange worlds. The 
wound of Robert proved mortal ; not so much from 
its original severity, as from the barbarous neglect 
of it while in prison. It occasioned an inflamma- 
tion in the brain ; and very soon after he obtained 
his freedom, death relieved him from one of the 
greatest calamities incident to man. The venera- 
ble mother, having laboured incessantly for the re- 
lief of the American prisoners — having seen her 
prospects of temporal happiness totally blighted — 
disconsolate and broken hearted, she soon followed 
her second son into eternity. She died near Char- 
leston, S. C. 

Andrew Jackson, now a youth of fifteen, found 
himself alone in the world. With no being in the 
country in which he was born, could he claim affin- 
ity or relationship. His constitution was impaired 
by recent toil, and cruel imprisonment. The an- 
guish he felt at the fate of his whole family, must 



2S MEMOIRS OF 

have been excruciating in the extreme. Tom ake 
the fall cup of human calamity overflow, he was vio- 
lently seized with the small pox, which brought 
him to the very jaws of death, and he narrowly 
escaped the grave to which all his family had been 
consigned. 

The estate of his father was now in his sole pos- 
session. Although not large, it was sufficient, with 
that careful attention, and prudent calculation 
which a man of mere monicd business always un- 
derstands, to have enabled him to complete his 
education, and to have had a competency remain- 
ing. But Andrew Jackson was not born for the coun- 
ting room ; and never thought of those day-book 
and ledger calculations which are within the reach 
of the most moderate capacity ; but which often, 
and almost invariably divert the mind from the no- 
bler pursuits of literary reputation and military 
fame. These had now become his objects. If he 
had had a discreet steward to manage his estate, it 
would have been a pecuniary advantage unquestion- 
ably ; but in his hands, it was a sort of incumbrance 
upon his mind : and until it was removed, operated 
as a check upon its excursions. At this period of 
his life, he thought little of that independence, in 
regard to money, which the younger Lyttleton em- 
phatically pronounces " the rock of life." With a 
profusion at which prudence would frown, and at 
which genius would smile, he reduced himself to 
a situation which compelled him to become — 



ANDREW JACKSON. 29 

'* ^uhqiie^ sumfoTtunuefaber^^ — (in every situation, 
the builder of his own fortune.) 

At about sixteen years of age, he returned to his 
literary pursuits ; making them however, as it 
would seem from his subsequent course, secondary 
to his paramount desire for a military life. His 
second instructor was a Mr. M'Cidloch. With 
him he renewed the study of the languages, and 
other studies preparatory to his entrance at an uni- 
versity. His attention was by no meaus confined 
to the mere prescribed duty enjoined by his pre- 
ceptor. He was not one of those unambitious 
pupils who concluded that enough was done when 
his lesson was committed to memory ; and that he 
was a linguist and a mathematician, because he could 
distinguish between a dactyl and a spondee — be- 
tween a single d,n^ z. double tqndiUon. His studies 
were as diversified as the suggestions of his inclina- 
tion ; and he ventured to explore those regions of 
literature to which his native genius pointed out 
the avenues. Such a course of study would never 
have made him a popular tutor in an university j 
but it was calculated to make him a general, if not 
a particular scholar. He continued his literary 
pursuits until he arrived to the age of eighteen. 
Finding his patrimony diminished, from expendi- 
tures of it, he relinquished his intentions of enter- 
ing an university. At the same time he relinquished 
his intentions, if he ever had any, of entering into 

^< holy orders." It was the wish of his deceased 
3 * 



30 MEMOIRS OF 

mother that he might become a minister of the 
gospel ; but he was fully aware that if he had been 
consecrated to that sacred profession, it would have 
rendered it incompatible with his duties, to avenge, 
with his sword, the injuries he and his family had 
sustained from it. Andrew Jackson was brought 
into existence to discharge other duties than those 
which belong to the sacred profession ; and al- 
though the church may regret that he had not 
brought liis splendid talents into its divine service -^ 
the state and the army may both acknowledge the 
services he has rendered them, not only with grati- 
tude, but with admiration. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 31 



CHAPTER II. 

Incidents of early life — of Andrew Jackson's — He commences and 
completes the study of law — Patriotism of American Lawyers- 
He commences the practice of law, and emigrates to the South- 
West Territory — is appointed Attorney-general — member of 
the Tennessee Convention — a Representative in Congress — a 
Senator in Congress — a Judge of the Supreme Court in Ten- 
nessee — and retires to private life. 

IN the preceding chapter, thre eader has been 
made acquainted with the origin of Andrew Jack- 
son — his early pursuits, and the most interesting 
incidents of his juvenile years. It has been fre- 
quently remarked, and always with truth, that tliose 
who have distinguished themselves in the science of 
war, have discovered the bias of the mind to the 
profession of arms in the early stages of life. The 
biographies of the great military and naval charac- 
ters of Europe furnish numerous instances of the 
truth of this remark. At seventeen, Bonaparte, a 
cadet in the military academy, in resentment of an 
affront, thrust his sword into a balloon, ready to as- 
cend for the gratification of Louis XVI. whose 
throne he afterwards occupied. Nelson, at a still 
earlier period of life, encountered a bear upon the 
frozen ocean. So unhappily deficient are the bio- 
graphical sketches of American worthies, that the 
present generation know little of the gigantic states- 
men and heroes who lived in the last. The truth 



32 MEMOIRS OP 

of the remark is established as it relates to Wash- 
ington and Putnam. The first in early life, dis- 
covered the cool and regulated courage of a great 
commander ; and the last, at twelve, when visiting 
Boston for the first time, encountered and conquer- 
ed an enemy double his age and size. He also in 
youth " carried the ring"" at gymnastic exercises, 
and destroyed a wolf, in his den, at the hazard of 
his own life. The incident mentioned of Jackson, 
is evincive of his whole character — he resisted the 
exercise of unauthorised power in a British officer, 
and demanded justice for himself and his fellow 
prisoners. When it is considered that the power 
of the British army was at that time irresistible-— 
that the tories were numerous — that they violated 
all the rules of civilized warfare, and tliat Jackson 
was less thau fourteen years of age, and subject to 
all their cruelty and ferocity, his firmness excites 
admiration. 

In 1784, he commenced the study of law, nnder 
the instruction and direction of Spruce M^Cay, Es- 
quire, at Salisbury, North Carolina. It is but jus- 
tice to the profession of law, to remark, that among 
its members in America and England, have always 
been found the most energetic advocates of the 
rights of the people. As a corrupt ministry have 
encroached upon the constitutional rights of the 
people, English and Irish advocates have thrown a 
shield before the designated victims of ministerial 
vengeance, and persuaded juries to save their fellow 



ANDREW JACKSON. 33 

men from Botany- Bay and tlie gibbet. The names 
o£ £rski7ie 2Lnd G'lbbs are dear to Englishmen — Ciir- 
ran and Grattan to Irishmen. 

At the commencement of the revolution, the 
members of the American bar, almost without ex- 
ception, arranged themselves upon the side of their 
country ; and by their examples, as well as their 
eloquence, aroused the sacred flame of patriotism 
in the bosoms of their oppressed countrymen. 
Their conduct drew from the eloquent Burke, one 
of his finest encomiums, in the British house of 
commons. To their honor let it be said, that at 
the commencement of the last war, which secured 
the independence acquired by the army of the 
revolution, they again espoused the cause of the 
Republic. They not only thundered defiance to 
our inveterate enemy in the Senate, but many pla- 
ced themselves in the embattled ranks of their 
countrymen. A number of them fell victims to their 
courage, whose memories will forever be cherish- 
ed — a number of them still survive, and still grace 
the army of the Republic. A Jackson, a Macomb, 
a Gaines, a Scott, and a Ripley, will not sufler by 
a comparison with the first soldiers in the universe, 
and it is believed they were all members of the bar 
when they entered the army. Mr. Jackson com- 
pleted the study of law with t7bA?i Stokes, Esquire, 
and was licensed as a practitioner in 1786. He 
presented himself at the bar at an age when most 
students commence the study of law. The part of 



34 MEMOIRS OF • 

the country in wliieh he was situated, afforded but 
a slender prospect of success ; but while it prevent- 
ed hira from enjoying the profits of the practice, it 
enabled him to become more familiar with the 
theory of the law. 

In 1788, the course of emigration was from 
the Atlantic states to the waters of the Missisippi. 
The present state of Tennessee was then a territo- 
rial government of the United States, called the 
South [Vest Territory, having been recently organ- 
ized by Congfress. The climate was sahibriv»us, the 
soil was fertile, and it was rapidly emerging from a 
wilderness state, to a state of civilization. Mr. 
Ja' kson, with that spirit of adventure which is in 
him a striking characteristic, resolvtd to leave a 
country which offered but few induce.uents to detain 
him in it. 

The honourable Judge M ^airy was appointed 
judge of this territory in 1788, and was accompa- 
nied by Mr. Jackson to Nashville, at which place 
they arrived in October of that year, when the first 
supreme court was holden. He here found himself 
among a people entirely different in manners, cus- 
toms, and habits, from those he had recently left In 
the older states, where one gen.eration of inhabitants 
have followed another in regular succession, there 
are always some distinguishing characteristics in 
the whole population. But in the new states, the 
traveller of observation can hardly discover any es- 
tablished character in the people, but that of energy 



ANDHEW JACKSON. 35 

diid personal independence. In those parts of the 
Republic which have been settled for two centu- 
ries, a family, a monied, or a landed aristocracy, 
can always be discovered. The many become 
subservient to the few, and subjugate their minds 
to those, who by wealth or power, have obtained 
the ascendency over them. In such a state of so- 
ciety, an insulated being, like Andrew Jackson, 
without the influence of friends to aid hira, or with- 
out funds to procure them, can hardly hope, with 
the most gigantic powers, to place himself in eligi- 
ble circumstances. Far otherwise is the case in the 
new states. Drawn together from different sections 
of our extensive country, from motives of interest, 
of power, or of fame, each individual may almost be 
said to make a province by himself. In such a sit- 
uation, the most energetic character becomes the 
object of the greatest popular favour. In this 
sphere was Jackson exactly calculated to move. 
Without any extrinsic advantages to promote his 
^sdvancement, he had to jrely solely upon intrinsic 
worth and decision of character, to enable him to 
rise rapidly with a rapidly rising people. 

The place of his nativity could not be recollected 
without the most distressing association of ideas. 
His whole family, ex(epting his father, wIjo may be 
said to have died a natural death, there fell vic- 
tims to the ruthless barbarity of British sr»ldiery, 
who carried on an unnatural war ai^ainst theirown 
colintrymen, in their own colunies. The attach- 



36 MEMOIRS OF 

ment to home, which may be said to coDstitute a 
a part of our nature, must have been alienated from 
the bosom of Jackson. In the Waccsaio settlement, 
S. C. he had his birth — there he was a sad spectator 
of the extinction of his whole family ; and there 
he all but lost his own life. To him, the plain of 
WaxsaiOy with all its charms, must have been as 
cheerless as that of Golgotha to the ancients. 

He commenced the practice of law in the South 
West Territory, at the age of little more than twen- 
ty-one years ; and although the district contained 
many aspiring young men who had already em- 
igrated there to share the honours of the new gov- 
ernment, and the profits of business, Mr. Jackson, 
soon rendered himself distinguished among those 
who were *' themselves conspicuous there.'''* 

The unyielding integrity of his character, and his 
unceasing attention to business, soon introduced 
him to the notice of the government ; and he was ap- 
pointed Attorney- General of the territory. This 
office he continued to sustain with great reputation 
to himself, and with essential advantage to the dig- 
nified and impartial administration of justice for 
many years. 

In 1796, the South West Territory was admitted 
as a sovereign and independent state into the Amer- 
ican Union, by the name of the State of Tennessee ; 
being the sixteenth star that was added to the Amer- 
ican Constellation. The citizens were called upon 
to exercise the first great act of self-government — 



ANDREW JACKSON. 37 

that of forming a constitution as the supreme law of 
the state. Mr. Jackson was chosen a member of 
the convention called to discharge this important 
duty. Although he had become known to the most 
distinguished citizens of the country, his exertions 
in this convention, brought him into more univer- 
sal notice, by the laborious part he took in the in- 
teresting discussions upon this momentous subject. 
The course of his studies had previously led him to 
investigate minutely the subject of government, 
from the earliest ages down to the close of the eigh- 
teenth century. With the rise, progress and ter- 
mination of the ancient Republics, he had made 
himself familiarly acquainted. He had witnessed 
the operation of the American Constitution, and 
those of the different states for a number of years. 
With a mind thus prepared to meet the important 
discussion, he took the lead in the debates upon 
the difi'erent articles of the proposed constitution. 
To those who are acquainted with the constitution 
of the state of Tennessee, it will be seerj. with 
what precision the Legislative, the Executive, and 
Judiciary powers are designa ted — with what care 
the civil rights of the people are secured — and with 
what unlimited freedom the rights of conscience 
may be enjoyed. 

The people of Tennessee, as a mark of the con- 
fidence they placed in Mr. Jackson, elected him 
their first representative in the Congress of the 

United States. He was a new member of the na- 

4 



38 MEMOIRS or 

tional legislature, and was surrounded by a body 
of statesmen who have scarcely been equalled, and 
certainly never have been excelled, since the adop- 
tion of the American Constitution. If, owing to 
that modesty which is always a concomitant with 
real greatness, he did not immediately shine, his 
constituents, the next year, (1797,) raised him to 
the high and responsible station of a Senator of 
Congress. It was during his congressional life, that 
the two great political parties of the Republic, were 
in array against each other. He was a Republican ; 
and of course in the minority. Although no man 
ever more cheerfully submitted to authority when 
properly exercised^ yet he never could be brought to 
be a minor actor in the plots of political intrigue — 
and to be a leader in political machinations, his 
habits and principles rendered him totally unqual- 
ified. He resigned his seat in the senate in 1799, 
and returned to Tennessee, with the government of 
which he had now become identified. 

He was now called upon to discharge the duties 
of an important ofiice under the constitution and 
laws of the state, in the establishmentof which, he 
had taken so important a part. In J 799, he was 
appointed a judge of the supreme court. This ap- 
pointment was bestowed upon him without his 
knowledge, contrary to his wishes, and very much 
opposed to his inclination. After discharging the 
duties of it for a short period, he resigned it, and 
retired to his delightful real estate upon the banks 



ANDREW JACKSON. 30 

of the Cumberland river, where for a number of 
years he enjoyed, in the bosom of his family, that 
domestic fehcity which is always produced by at- 
tachment for private worth, mingled with respect 
for dignity of character. From the citizens with 
whom he was located, he invariable received every 
demonstration of respectful attachment, and grate- 
ful acknowledgment, which a people, in the enjoy- 
ment of temporal felicity, usually bestow upon the 
benefactor who had secured it for them. In Mr, 
Jackson, although he had scarcely reached the mid- 
dle age of life, the people recognized a political 
father, who had ever discovered more solicitude for 
their political rights, and individual happiness, than 
for his own emolument or aggrandizement. 



4J(X JIEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER III. 

MX- Jackson's career in civil life — commencement of his military 
career — Major-general of Tennessee Militia — Militia forces- 
American savages — ^Reason for their hatred and vengeance 
against Anglo-Americans — Religious fanaticism among them — 
The Prophet Francis, and his brother Tecumseh — Effect of 
their assumed divinity — Tender of Gen. Jackson, and his Vol- 
unteers to the government of the United States. 

AT the close of the last chapter, the reader found 
the subject of these memoirs in a situation, above 
all others the best calculated for the enjoyment 
of temporal felicity — with an estate abundantly 
competent, without being so overgrown as to excite 
solicitude — in a family circle, where every affection- 
ate sentiment was cordially reciprocated, and sur- 
rounded by extensive acquaintances who loved hina 
for his affability, respected him for his dignity, and 
venerated him for his exalted patriotism. 

Hitherto the attention of Mr. Jackson had been 
almost exclusively confined to the pursuits of civil 
life. Although the duties of it are oftentimes ar- 
duous, and the difficulties sometimes inextricable, 
yet he had moved through it with incalculable ben- 
efit to his country, and with undivided approbation 
to himself. The history of our country scarcely 
affords an instance of an individual, who has, so 
early in life, been called to fill so many important 
offices in such rapid succession. At twenty-two, At- 
torney-general of a district — at twenty-nine,* mem- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 4il 

ber of convention to form a constitution — at 
the same age, a representative in Congress — at thir- 
ty, a Senator in Congress, and at thirty-two a Judge 
of the Supreme Court of an independent State. 

Thus far in life, Mr. Jackson had reaped a rich 
reward for his devotion to his country, in the ap- 
plause bestowed upon him by his countrymen. 
Had he been disposed to have lived in his delight- 
ful retirement, and to have been a spectator of the 
sufferings his fellow-citizens were called to en- 
dure from a christian and a savage foe, he would 
indeed have ended his days without the splendid 
glory which is now attached to his name ; yet he 
would have also escaped from the acrimonious 
censure, and illiberal abuse of those who envy him 
his reputation, and vainly endeavour to rob him of 
his hard earned fame. 

However brilliant has been the career of Mr. 
Jackson in civil life, it is almost forgotten by the 
renown he has acquired by military achievements. 
To the great mass of his countrymen, he is known 
ojili/ as a distinguished military character. It will 
be the object of the remaining part of this work 
to present the reader with a view of his military 
career. 

The same year that the state of Tennessse w'as 

admitted into the union, (179G,) Mr. Jackson was 

'"appointed Major-general of the militia of that State. 

As the whole of its militia was then embraced in 

one division, Gen. Jackson was the actual com- 
4, # 



4)3 MEMOIRS OF 

mander in chief of the whole military force of 
the state ; as it is unusual for the governours of 
the states, who are ex officio, Captain -generals, to 
command in person. But for many years before 
the commenceiDent of the last war, the command 
of a Major-general was rather jwminal than real — 
a whole division being seldom called out together. 
But upon Gen. Jackson, the people depended for 
an efficient organization of iheir military force. 

Without derogating at all from the high reputa- 
tion of the militia of the American Republic, pro- 
bably the most efficient in the world, the history of 
our country will justify the remark, that it is a spe- 
cies of force that cannot be relied upon, excepting 
in sudden emergencies. In the revolutionary war, 
notwithstanding the imperfections of their organi- 
zation, they certainly aided essentially in establish- 
ing our independence. But how often, during that 
portentous period, was the Commander in Chief, 
and other commanders, left with an han^V il of 
" Continental Troops," to wander through a coun- 
try where a regiment of militia could scarcely be 
raised, to take the field for any length of time ? 
They might be brought, from the principles of 
self-preservation, to defend their home, and to re- 
pel an enemy from their immediate neighbourhood, 
but could with difficulty be brought to follow the 
apparently desperate fortune of the Chief to a dis- 
tant portion of the country. Had not the '' Con- 
tinental Army'' been organized, and been brought 



ANDREW JACKSON. 43 

to consider themselves as soldiers of the zohole 
American liepublic — Cornioallis might have ulti- 
mately surrendered — but it is doubtful whether 
Washington would have conquered him in 1781. 

At the coinmencement of the last war, the mili- 
tia of the United States had enjoyed a period of 
peace for thirty years. The acts of Congress, and 
of the individual states, made every possible salu- 
tary provision to give to that force respectability 
and efficiency. This body then consisted of eight 
hundred thousand men ; an hundred thousand of 
wliom were drafted fur the service of the United 
States. The collisions between the state govern- 
ments and that of the Union— the jealousies between 
the officers of the army and those of the militia, are 
within the recollection of every reader ; hut the de- 
tail belongs more properly to The HistorT/ of the Se- 
cond War between the American Repitblic and tha 
Kingdom of Great Britain, than to The Memoirs of 
Major General Jackson, 

In 1812, Gen. Jackson, being still major-gene- 
ral of the Tennessee militia, was called by the 
dictates of patriotism, and his ardent love of his 
country, to espouse its cause in iht Jield, as he had 
spent much of his life in advocating its interests in 
the cabinet. With the sagacity of a statesman, 
and with the feelings of a patriot, he had long seen 
a storm gathering over his beloved country. He 
had seen one Republic after another fall in Europe, 
before the tremendous power of the " Allied Sove- 



44j memoirs of 

reigns." He had seen the best and the last hopes 
of man blasted and almost annihilated in Europe, 
by the uplifted arm of despotic power. He had 
seen the British government, from the commence- 
ment of the Pitt administration, to that period, the 
head of this "holy alliance" olTensive and defen- 
sive against the rights of man. He had seen that 
power, from year to year, encroaching upon the in- 
dependence which the American Republic compel- 
led them to acknowledge in 1783. He had seen the 
pacific policy of the American government, resort- 
ing to negociation after negociation, met by the 
increasing insolence of the arrogant Court of St. 
James. He had not only seen, but he and the 
people of Tennessee had for many years, felt, the 
effect of British and Spanish influence over the 
Creek, the most ferocious and warlike tribe of In- 
dians upon the continent. For many years this 
tribe carried on a predatory warfare against the 
settlements of Tennessee, especially upon the Cum- 
berland river, upon which general Jacksen resided. 
He and the people, without any aid from the gen- 
eral government, had defended themselves from 
the frequent incursions of this insidious and barba- 
rous foe. In this way the people of Tennessee 
had learned the horrors of Indian warfare from 
their own sufferings. 

The history of the world scarcely furnishes a 
parallel with the sufferings of the Europeans upon 
the continent of America. Nor d£>es it furnish 



ANDREW JACKSON. 45 

a parallel with the injuries which the native Amer- 
icans have sustained from Europeans. Tlie con- 
quest of South America, by the Spaniards, was 
marked with more sanguinary violations of the 
rights of humanity, than any conquest from that of 
Canaan to the nineteenth century of the christian 
era. As little as we know of its blood-stained histo- 
ry, we have, from infancy, wept over the calamities 
of the Lie as of Peru, and of the countless legions 
of their unhappy subjects. Through the eye of 
history, we see the powerful agents of his most 
Catholic majesty arrive among these happy natives. 
With an exterminating sword in one hand, and with 
the word of God in the other,' these early mission- 
aries demanded the immediate conversion of a 
whole people to Christianity. The artless sons of 
nature, who supposed the most splendid object 
was the fittest one to be adored, offered their ado- 
ration to the Sun. They could not adore an in- 
visible being, who made no impression upon their 
senses. An army with the weapons of destruction 
and death, was ready to aid the priest-hood in the 
work of conversion. One Inca, fell with his nation 
after another, with their inexhaustible treasures, 
into the hands of christian Spaniards, and at this 
time the aborigines of S. America scarcely have an 
existence. 

In North America, the acquisitions of Europeans 
were attended vvith circumstances less bloody ; 
but the natives were compelled by arms, or by 



46 MEMOIRS OF 

contracts enforced by them, to retire as they ad- 
vanced in settlements. The tomahawk and the 
arrow, were feeble, compared with fire arms and 
bayonets. Although they were compelled to sur- 
render their territory, their native pride and heroic 
courage was never subjugated. They retired be- 
fore their conquerors ; and as their territory was 
wrested from them by fraud, or by force, and as 
their numbers were diminished by disease, and by 
war, their vengeance against their spoilers increas- 
ed. But one sentiment prevailed among them 
from the Isthmus of Darien to the North- West coast 
— from the Atlantic to the Western ocean. The 
broken remnants of some few tribes have indeed 
been brought to bury the hatchet ; but they never 
have been, and probably never will be, cordially 
reconciled to the white population. The hostile 
savages by privations the most severe, by tortures 
the most cruel, and by deaths the most horrible, 
still wreak their vengeance upon the descendants 
of those who first invaded their native soil. 

In about the year 1810, a blind religious fsi Mta- 
cism was added to the natural ferocity of the /liner- 
ican savages. A Prophet arose among them, and 
claimed divine power, derived directly from the 
Great Spirit. This immense accession to human 
power f was no less calculated to fascinate savages, 
than it ever has been to excite the veneration of that 
part of mankind who claim to be civilized. The 



ANDREW JACKSON. 4:7 

American Savage, Francis^ had as many claims to 
the character and the inspiration of Prophet, as the 
Asiatic civilian Mahomet ; and had he possessed 
equal power to make conquests and converts, under 
the banners of divinity, he might hereafter have 
had as many followers. But Gen. Harrison dis- 
robed him of his divinity at Tippacanoe, in 1811, 
and his brother Tecumseh-, fled to the southern 
tribes upon the Alabama, early in the year J 812, 
to inspire the savages there to act in concert with 
their red brethren in the north. But nothing in- 
spired the Creek, Alabama, and Seminole Indians so 
much as British and Spanish gold, British muskets, 
and British promises. With their hereditary hatred 
against Americans, (or the citizens of the United 
States,) added to the enthusiasm excited by Tecum- 
seh, and the liberal aid of the British and Spanish 
governments, these powerful tribes, at the com- 
mencement of the last war, were prepared to spread 
havock, devastation, torture, and death, among the 
Americans who bordered upon their territory. 

'^\<^ states of Tennessee and Georgia, from their 
vic-.Mty to the immense country inliabited by the 
Creeks, were more immediately exposed to the 
horrid ravages of Indian warfare. Familiarized to 
their unrelenting barbarity, the citizens of Ge'^rgia 
and Tennessee were fully aware, that nothing but a 
.war of extermination against the Cn.*eks, would 
protect their own settlements on the frontiers fj om 
destruction, and their families from wanton barbari- 



48 MEMOIRS OF 

ty. Tecuniseli had, by his art, his eloquence, and 
his assumed divinity, infused into the Creek nation^ 
the most implacable hatred against the Americans. 
Head dressed himself to their pride, by reminding 
them of the ancient power of the savages, and the 
boundless extent of their territory. He aroused 
their vengeance against Americans, as the people 
who had reduced their numbers, and diminished 
their greatness. He censured them for any con- 
formity, in any respect, to the Americans, and ex- 
horted them upon the dreadful penalty of the dis- 
pleasure of the Great Spirit, to return wholly to the 
savage state. The preaching of Saint Bernard and 
Peter the Monk^ had not a greater effect upon the 
Christians of Europe, when they exhorted them to 
raise a crusade against the infidels, than did that of 
Tecumseh upon the Creek, the Alabama, and Se- 
minole Indians. A complete concert was estab- 
lished between all the southern tribes, and a general 
concert between them and the northern ones. 
War clubs were every where distributed^ — but the 
most profound secrecy was enjoined. Tecumseh 
had warranted the interposition of the Great Spirit, 
and, what he had much better authority for doing, 
that of Great Britainy in favour of the savages. 

The confidence of the savages, in the success 
that would attend them and their christian allies, 
the British, was effectually confirmed. It was an 
established principle with them to give no quarters 
nor to ask any. Pursuant to this system, they had, 



ANDREW JACKSON. ^ 

before the commencement of the last war, murder- 
ed many families upon the frontiers of Georgia, 
and Tennessee, and seemed resolved to extripate 
the Americans, or be exterminated themselves. 

This brief sketch may be deemed a digression ; 
but I considered it necessary to prepare the mind 
of the reader for the succinct account which will 
follow, of the part taken by Gen. Jackson in the 
sanguinary war carried on by him and the gallant 
army under his command against the Creeks, 

The act of Congress, of 1812, authorizing the 
raising of a Volunteer Corps^ of fifty thousand men, 
to serve one year within tioo years after they were 
organized, induced Gen. Jackson to address the 
gallant sons of Tennessee belonging to his division. 
Perhaps no man in the American Republic could 
address his fellow-citizens, with more confidence of 
ouccess, than Gen. Jackson — certain it is that no 
one addressed them so successfully. In a very 
short time, he found his standard, at Nashville, sur- 
rounded by twenty-five hundred men, among whom 
were many of the first families and of the greatest 
fortunes. It was not that wordy and paper patri- 
otism which filled many of the journals of the day 
with inflated resolutions, pledging to the Republic 
the " lives, fortune, and honour,'*^ of those who pas- 
sed them. These men came in person to serve their 
country, rather than in a town-meeting, to resolve 
that they would do it. Gen. Jackson voluntarily 

ofi'ered his service to his country, instead of solicit- 
5 



50 MEMOIRS OF 

ing an office from its government. The General and 
his awny of Volunteers, made a tender of their ser- 
vices to government, and in November, 1812, were 
accepted, and became a part of the national force. 
When this corps of Volunteers was organized, 
they little thought, perhaps, what arduous duty 
would be allotted to them ; and had they anticipa- 
ted it, the glory they afterwards acquired, would 
hardly have been thought a sufficient reward for 
the excessive fatigues and hazards they endured 
in acquiring it. Their achievements shall be re- 
corded with scrupulous regard to accuracy, and 
their aberrations from duty shall be mentioned with 
all the delicacy that is consistejjt with truth. 



ANDREW JACKSON, 51 



CHAPTER IV. 

Gen. Jackson and Tennessee Volunteers — ^Importance of the river 
Missisippi — Mr. Monroe's solicitude for the security of it, and 
the Western States—Volunteers rendezvous at Nashville, Tenn. 
— descend the Ohio and Missisippi — encamp at Natchez — Order 
for their discharge from Mr. Armstrong — disobeyed by Gen. 

, Jackson — Volunteers return to Tennessee, and are discharged 
— Approbation of the government. 

THE avidity and promptitude with which the 
large and respectable Corps of Tennessee Volun- 
teers resorted to the standard of their beloved 
and respected commander, Andrew Jackson, was a 
sure presage of the gallantry with which they would 
support the independence, rights, and honour of 
the Republic against a savage and implacable foe 
upon the borders of their native state, and against 
the most powerful and veteran nation in Europe, 
now in alliance with them. 

At the commencement of the last war, it was 
impossible for the government to determine upon 
what part of our extended sea- board the naval 
forces of Britain would first attempt to make a 
demonstration ; or upon what part of our frontier, 
its armies would attempt to invade our territory. 
The immense importance of the command of the 
Missisippi, and its tributary streams, could not es- 
cape the attention of either the American or British 
governments. Every exertion therefore of the one 



03 MEMOIRS OF 

to retain, and of the other to acquire it, might welt 
be expected. The lower states and territories si- 
tuated upon this important river, attracted the ear- 
ly attention of government, and induced the most 
effi( ient measures lor their defence. 

Mr. Monroe, for some time previous, and during 
the whole war, was a member of the American 
Cabinet. As ambassador of the American Repub- 
lic, at the court of France, he had negociated the 
treaty for the accession of Louisiana to the United 
Stales ; and must have felt a deep solicitude in the 
rising importance of the Western States. He was 
aware, that without the command of the Missisippi, 
they would lose their future importance, and be 
at present subjected to the rapacity of British sol- 
diery, and the horrors of savage warfare. Although 
the war department, until the campaign of 1814, 
was not under his immediate control, and although 
he was not directly implicated in the disasters of 
those of 1812, and I8l3; he nevertheless, as one 
of the first officers in the Cabinet, felt a high de- 
gree of responsibility. In regard to the Missisippi 
river, as he may almost be said to have acquired it 
for his country, he must have felt a deep interest in 
securing the incalculable benefits arising to the Re- 
public, especially to the Western States, from the 
exclusive command of it. 

The Tennessee Volunteers, under the command 
of Gen. Jackson, at the close of the year 1812, 
were ordered to proceed down the Ohio and Missi- 



ANDREW JACKSON, 53 

sippi, for the defence of the lower states against an 
expected attack of the British forces. The deep 
laid plot of the Indians already mentioned, was not 
yet ready for execution ; nor were the American 
settlers exposed to their immediate ravages, excited 
to make any but the orrlinary preparations of de- 
fence against these insidious, cruel, and infernal 
enemies. The Creeks were apparently indiflerent 
spectators to the contest which had now commen- 
ced between the American Republic, and the king- 
dom of Great Britain. 

At the beginning of the year 1813, Gen. Jackson 
and his fine corps of Tennessee Volunteers, having 
previously rendezvoused at Nashville, in Tennes- 
see, situated upon the south bank of Cumberland 
river, prepared to execute the orders received to 
descend the Ohio and Missisippi. Although situat- 
ed in a mild and salubrious climate, enduring but 
little severity in comparison with the more frigid 
regions of the northern states, the country at this 
time was covered with snow, and the navigation of 
the Ohio and Missisippi was obstructed and render- 
ed difficult and hazardous by ice. 

The Volunteers had thus far enjoyed the anima- 
ting splendour of military life, but were j'et unac- 
quainted with its toils, fatigues, and privations. 
Upon the 7th January, 1813, headed in person by a 
leader whom they esteemed as an accomplished 
commander, and an affectionate guardian, they com- 
menced an expedition, in which they hoped to ren- 
5 ^ 



54 MEMOIRS Ol- 

der esseiiiiai service to their country, which they 
Joved better than tliey did their lives, and to acquire 
for themselves tlie reputation of patriotic soldiers. 
Animated by the example of Gen. Jackson, they 
endured the hardships of a long and tedious passage, 
without a murmur, and submitted to the discipline 
indispensably necessary in an array, v/itliout the 
least appearance of insubordination. They arriv- 
ed at Natchez^ about three hundred miles above 
New Orleans, where they were ordered to rendez- 
vous until further orders. 

Gen. Jackson having selected the most judicious 
situation for the encampment of his army, here 
commenced the arduous and difficult duty of chang- 
ing citizens to soldiers. The Tennessee Volunteers 
had seen nothing of military life, except the easy 
and pleasurable duty usually performed by militia 
in time of peace, and occasional excursions against 
small parties of savages. Had tliey enlisted into 
the army of the Ilepublic, received a liberal bounty 
from its treasury, and been certain of regular pay- 
ment of wages while in service, and a valuable tract 
of land when discharged ; a cheerful submission to 
military discipline might have been expected, and 
a necessary one enforced. These patriotic Volun- 
teers thought little of a pecuniary reward •, but 
were inspired, by the impulse of patriotism, to be- 
come disciplined soldiers out of principle. 

But no sooner had they began to learn the duties 
of tlfe camp, and to acquire the science of war, 



ANDREW JACKSON. 55 

than an order from the ^var department was re- 
ceived by Gen. Jackson, commandinq: him " to dis- 
mUs /lis Volunteers^ and deliver all public property 
in Ms possession to Major-general WUkinson,^^ then 
commanding the military district in which they 
were stationed. Mr. Armstron^^ was then Secretary 
at VYar. It is not for the historian or the bio- 
grapher to inquire into motives-, or to impeach them ; 
but when th^fact is stated that this order ])ore date 
tlie 5th of January, 18 [3, two days before Gen. 
Jackson moved with his forces from Nashville, and 
was not received until sometiLne after he estab- 
lished his cantonment at Natchez, almost five hun- 
dred miles below, tlie reader may well exclaim, in 
the language of the Prince of the Drama, — '■^there 
is a spirit in the affairs of state, which nor tongue^ 
nor pen, can give eapressure to." 

A compliance with this order would have been 
an abandonment of his corps. Although among 
them were many men, possessed of ample funds and 
adequate means, to travel half a thousand miles to 
their homes, yet they little thought, when they enter- 
ed the service of their country, that they should be 
so soon compelled to expend their wealth, as well 
as expose their lives and health in its defence. A 
very great number were wholly destitute of the means 
of subsistence, and depended wholly upon the public 
stores in their possession for the support of life while 
in camp, and upon their return march through a 
country, either very thinly inhabited or a wilderness. 



5G MEMOIRS OP 

A third class were in a situation still more deploras- 
ble ; indef d, in a state of absolute destitution — 
dastitute of health, destitute of resources, and, as 
a general consequence, destitute of hope. The 
sick list numbered between one hundred and fifty, 
and two hundred •, many of whom were languish- 
ing under extreme debilit3\ 

It is difficult to conceive of a situation more dis- 
tressing and responsible than that in which Gen. 
Jackson was placed by this order from Mr. Arm- 
strong. Obedience to it would have been casting 
most of his patriotic followers upon a pity less world 
in an inclement season and destitute of resources — 
disobedience of the order would subject him to mil- 
itary punishment, unless the peculiar circumstan- 
ces of the case should be deemed sufficient to 
excuse him from the operation of military law. Af- 
ter consultation with his officers, who, at first, ac- 
corded with him in opinion, he assured the Secre- 
tary at War, that the order would be disregarded ; 
and that a sufficient quantity of the public stores 
W'ould be retained, to aid his Volunteers in return- 
ing to their homes. 

General Wilkinson was advised of the order of 
the war department, and of the determination of 
Gen. Jackson in regard to it. Clothed with the 
authority of the government — commanding one of 
the most extensive military districts in the Republic 
—anxious to augment his stores, and increase the 
number of his own troops, he endeavoured to inti- 



ANDREW JACKSON; 07 

midate Gen. Jackson into obedience of the order, 
by fore- warning him of the alarming consequences 
to himself, of disobedience. Some of his own offi- 
cers retracted their first decision, and advised a 
compliance with the order. Even the quarter- 
master endeavoured to compel him to the measure, 
by omitting to take the necessary steps preparatory 
to the commencement of the return march. Cool, 
collected, and unembarrassed, Gen. Jackson now 
took counsel from his own judgment, and the respon- 
sibility of his conduct upon his own head ; knowing, 
that if called to do it, he could justify himself be- 
fore any forum, excepting one that had prejudged 
his case. He gave orders for breaking up the en- 
campment, and for commencing the movement 
which was to conduct his Volunteers to the place 
of original rendezvous ; and gave it in such a man- 
ner, and accompanied it with such acts, as to con- 
vince all, that from this decision there was no appeal. 
The gloom and dejection which pervaded this 
corps, when the order from the war department was 
received, was converted to the exhilaration of joy 
when the determination of their general was made 
known. The waggons were used for the trans- 
portation of the sick ; and even the horses of the 
general and his staff, were cheerfully surrendered 
for that purpose when necessary. During a march 
of nearly five hundred miles. Gen. Jackson evinced, 
by his uniform conduct, that although his situa- 
tion compelled him to act as a soldier, " he felt 



58 MEMOIRS OP 

like a 7nan.^^ To the high respect which was at aii 
times felt by the Tennessee Volunteers for Gen. 
Jackson, was now added the most ardent attach- 
ment. They almost forgot the dignity of the gen- 
eraly in the more amiable and endearing qualities of 
tht patron and the friend. This corps, having en- 
dured the privations of the camp, and the fatigues 
of marching and counter-marching, without having 
1/et acquired any of the laurels which are reaped 
in the field of battle, were discharged about the 1st 
of May, 1813. But the ardent patriotism, regula- 
ted by a spirit of subordination, which they shewed 
in this first scene of military life, justified the high 
expectation which was entertained of them, and 
which was afterwards so amply gratified by their 
splendid military achievements. 

The course pursued by Gen. Jackson in regard 
to Mr. Armstrong's order, and the Volunteers, may 
meet with the animadversion of the mere officer, 
who acquired his knowledge of tactics from books-, 
and his ideas of subordination from reading the ar- 
ticles of war 'y but his conduct was approbated by the 
administration, and the whole expenses of the expe- 
dition paid out of the public treasury. The military 
ardour of Gen Jackson was not damped by the crit- 
ical, and even dangerous circumstances in which he 
had recently been placed — dangerous, more from 
the machinations of official intrigue, than from the 
open enemies of the country. The first he had too 
much magnanimity even to suspect — the last he had 
rourage enough to face in every possible situation. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 50 

CHAPTER V. 



Approbation and censure of general Jackson — Implacable hostility 
of savages increased by British and Spanish emissaries, and 
British ravages — Indian massacre of garrison, women and chil- 
dren, at Fort Mimms — Expedition from Tennessee against 
Creeks prepared — General Jackson assumes the command — 
Colonel Coffee — Difference between Militia, Volunteers, and 
Regular Troops — General Jackson proceeds to the frontiers — 
prepares for «,ctive service — Deficiency of provisions m his 
camp — Colonel Dyer destroys Littafutclws — First victory over 
Creeks at Tallushatches — Gen. Coffee's report of it to Gen. 
Jackson. 



THE superficial reader of biography, feels im- 
patient to arrive at the developenient of the dis- 
tinguished character who is the subject of it. The 
more critical examiner, traces the progress of the 
Statesman, the Soldier, and tlie Scholar, from the 
first dawn of his greatness, to the meridian of his 
glory. The untutored imagination will utter vo- 
ciferous hosannas to the memories of the great ; but 
they are as destitute of meaning, as were the enthu- 
siastic praises bestowed by the Ephesians, upon the 
geddess Diana. That applause which is offered 
by intelligence to.merit, is the only commendation 
which a great and a good man wishes to receive 
when in life, and it is the only sentence which will 
embalm his memory after his death. The same 
remarks may be applied to the censure which the 
v/orld generally bestows with more liberality than 



GO MEMOIRS OP 

it does its praise. It has been shewn that Gen. 
Jaclison had scarcely entered the threshold of his 
military life, before the cheering voice of approba- 
tion, as well as the dissonant notes of censure, met 
his ear. But he was then, and is now, a man whom 
merited praise cannot enervate, and whom unjust 
censure cannot intimidate. 

In the third chapter of this work, the reasons 
were briefly stated why the Aborigines of America* 
are so implacably hostile to the Anglo-Americans, 
especially to the citizens of the American Republic. 
They have been taught to believe that their Great 
Fathers, beyond the great waters, occupying the 
thrones of Britain and Spain, are their friends and 
protectors ; while the Americans are their enemies 
and destroyers. The emissaries of these great pot- 
entates themselves, will always disseminate and en- 
courage this sentiment, as long as they have colo- 
nies bordering upon the United States ; and as long 
as they need savages, as allies ^ to aid them in their 
Quixotic views of recoloniziiig them. 

Lest this fact may, by some be thought to be 
too confidently stated, I quote the following from 
the Report of the Committee on Foreign Relations^ 
to whom was referred the Manifesto of President 
Madison, of the 1st June, J8l2,— " It is known that 
symptoms of British hostility towards the United 
States, have never failed to produce corresponding 
symptoms among those tribes. {*' Savage tribes on 
our frontiers, ^^1 It is also well known, that on all 



ANDREW JACKSON. 61 

such occasions, abundant supplies of the ordinar^ 
munitions of war, have been afforded by the ageri' 
of British commercial companies, and even ^r )m 
British garrisons, wherewith they were enabled to 
commence that system of savage warfire on our 
frontiers, which has been, at all times, indiscrimi- 
nate in its effect, on all ages, sexes, and conditions, 
and so revolting to humanity." This is confined to 
British emissaries. Before the reader reaches the 
close of these brief Memoirs, he will be furnished 
with evidence " strong as proof of holy writ" of the 
more aggravated injuries of the emissaries of Fer- 
dinand VII. of Spain. 

It was not until the British fleets had commen- 
ced their ravages upon our then defenceless sea- 
ports ; and the British armies had began the work 
of devastation upon our then unprotected frontiers, 
that the Creek Indians, as a tribe, advanced for a 
similar purpose, to the borders of the states of 
Georgia, Tennessee, and Missisippi. The last men- 
tioned state, then a territorial government, felt the 
first disastrous shock from a concealed storm that 
had long hung in awful silence upon its borders. 

The Spanish government, the consummate du- 
plicity of which is equalled only by the horrors 
of its despotism, had long furnished the Creeks 
with arms and ammunition, the better to enable them 
to destroy the rapidly increasing settlements of the 

states bordering upon Florida. As before men 
6 



62 MEMOIRS OF 

tioned, these states had defended themselves with 
but little aid from the general governmetit. 

Ill August 1813, a garrison of an hundred and 
fifty men, was stationed in a settlement called />«- 
saw,m the state o^Missisippi. They occupied an 
incomplete fortress, called Fort Mimms, at TcnsalOf 
to which many females and children had resorted 
for protection against the enkindled wrath of the 
Creek Indians, who had before, in small parties, 
wantonly murdered a number of families. The 
whole amounted to nearly 400 at the fort. But 
the garrison and the inhabitants were unsuspicious 
of a general movement of these ftrocious sons of 
the forest. 

Upon the 30th of August, the furious storm of 
savage warfare burst upon them with all its appal- 
ing horrors. From six hundred to a thousand sa- 
vages commenced an assault. The most veteran 
courage was imbecility itself against such an over- 
whelming superiority of force. The tragical scene 
that followed the possession of Fort Mimms, by the 
Creeks, no mind can conceive — no tongue can ex- 
press — no pen can describe ! The savages, having 
long before resolved to ask no quarters, nor to grant 
any, began and completed the dreadful work of 
human carnage. The demand of the soldier for 
quarters, was as ineffectual as the heart-piercing 
entreaties of the mother, to spare her life and that 
of her child. A general slaughter was made ; and 
out of about three hundred and seventy persons, 



ANDREW JACKSON. ^ G3 

Soldiers, women and children, in and about the 
fort, but seventeen escaped. 

The Indians entered one of the gates of the fort, 
and set fire to an old building within it. Major 
Beasly commanded ; and with a band, tkat reminds 
the reader of the Spartan band^ of Leonidas at 
Therraopolie, maintained a conflict with more than 
four times their force, until they slew more than 
their own numbers. While this forlorn hope were 
selling their lives in the fort, the aged men, the 
helpless woijien, and shrieking children, were per- 
ishing in the flames in the upper story of the burn- 
ing building. To use the impressive language of 
one who was near this scene of carnage — " Under 
the double influence of British gold, and furious fa- 
naticism, the savages fought in a manner scarcely 
to be credited. The fight was so obstinately main- 
tained for a long time, that the opponents, overcome 
by fatigue and exertion, loaded their pieces delibe- 
rately, and shot each other down, or were mutually , 
dispatched by the bayonet and tomahawk." 

The solicitude which this direful catastrophe pro- 
duced, in all the exposed settlements upon the Mo- 
bile, Torabigbee, and in many other places, can 
better be imagined than expressed. Although the 
state of Tennessee was not immediately in danger, 

* I find in many of the official reports during* the last M'ar, a 
brave body of Ainencansy is called " a Spartan Band.'* I cannot 
see how an AinericanhAnd should be a band of Spartans, however 
brave they may be. 



64) MEMOIRS OF 

yet the most energetic and elBEicient measures were 
taken to protect the frontiers, and avenge the mas- 
sacre at Fort JMinims. The legislature of that 
state convened toward the close of September — 
authorised Governour Blount to call into immedi- 
ate service, three thousand five hundred of the mil- 
itia, — and voted three hundred thousand dollars, for 
their support. 

The legislature, and indeed, the whole popula- 
tion of Tennessee, fixed their hopes upon General 
Jackson. Tiie confidence of all in him was un- 
bounded. Ii had long been his opinion that the 
only eflTectual mode of warfare against savages, was- 
to carry war iuto the heart of their country. Gen. 
Way/ie, man)^ years since, and Gen. Harrison more 
recently, had evinced the correctness of this opin- 
ion. The legislature accorded with him in senti- 
ment, and the command of an intended expedition 
devolved upon him. 

Gen. Jackson, had recently received a fracture 
in his arm, and a wound in his body, in the settle- 
ment of an affair of honour, in an honourable man- 
ner. Under any other circumstances, the severity 
of the wounds, and the consequent debility, would 
have detained him in his domestic circle. But he 
was born for his country — his country demanded 
his services ; and the ardent patriotism of his soul, 
made him forget the debility of his body. 

He was ordered by governour Blount to call out 
two thousand militia, and to rendezvous at Fayette- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 65 

vide. A part of this detachment consisted of the 
Tennessee Volunteers, who had the preceding 
spring returned from Natchez. Upon the 44h of 
October, 18 13, the day appointed, the troops prompt- 
ly repaired to tlie place of rendt zvous. Colonel, 
soon after general, Co fee, in the mean time, had 
raised five hundred mounted Tokmteers, and was 
authorized to auis^ment his force, by adding to it 
the volunteer mounted riflemen who might offer 
their services. It would be a task highly grateful 
to the author, would the prescribed limits of this 
work permit, to give a brief sketch of this accom- 
plished and patriotic officer. It is enough to say, 
that he commenced his active miiitary life, with 
Andrew Jackson ; and that in the most disastrous 
periods of the Creek war, wlien, by the jealousy of 
some, the treachery of others, the intrigues of many, 
and the apprehensions of all, his general was left 
almost alone in a wilderness of blood seeking bar- 
I)arians, he remained '•'-faithful (wiong thefaithless^^^ 
till the last conctuering stroke was given. He fol- 
lowed the no less desperate fortune of Gen Jackson 
to NeivOrlccms, where he, with his general, and Iuf 
gallant army, acquired laurels which will never fade, 
until men cease to appreciate exalted patriotism. 

Upon the 7ih October, Gen. Jackson repaired 
to the rendezvous at Fayetteville ; and although in 
a stale of indisposition which required the repose 
of the hospital, rather than in that vigorous health 
which, is necessary to endure the fatigues of the 
6 ^ 



06 MEMOIRS Oi — 

camp, and a march through the wilderness, he as- 
sumed the command of the array designed to 
avenge the blood of their countrymen, and to con- 
quer the most warlike tribe of barbarians in the 
universe. It might be deemed presumptuous to 
say, that Gen. Jackson was the only man in Ten- 
nessee, who could successfully command an array 
destined to accomplish this arduous and perilous 
duty ; but it ma} , without hesitation be said, that 
no man at that time, had so completely secured the 
confidence, and raised the hopes of the civil and 
military power of that state, as he. 

He found the troops assembled, deficient in num- 
bers, and was aware that few of them had *« seen 
service." The difi'erence between drafted militia, 
volunteer troops, and enlisted soldiers has been 
slightly alluded to. It will be readily acknowledg- 
ed by every officer and every soldier in the late 
war. It does not arise from a difference of patri- 
otism oj courage, for both are inherent with all 
true Americans. It may probably be imputed to 
the difference in their organization. The Militiay 
in times of peace, consider the performance of 
military service rather as a pastime, than a duty ; 
and cannot be brought, suddenly, to submit to the 
rigid discipline of the camp. The Volunteers^ 
are impelled by love of country, and a thirst for 
fame, to fly, unasked to the standard of the Repub- 
lic ; but when the impulse that led them there has 
subsided, and they find that glory is to be acquired 



ANDREW JACKSON. 67 

by a long coarse of severe duty, apathy often suc- 
ceeds to aniinatioii ; and many are ready to exclaim 
with Byron, *' / zoant no other Paradise but rest'''' 
The soldiers^ enter the army to make a trade of 
war. They study discipline as a business ; and 
courage with them is not only a principle, but it is 
a system. To conquer, to be captured, or to die, 
is a matter of course and of necessity ; and if disas- 
ters are remediless, when they happen, they en- 
dure them without a murmur. 

Gen. Jackson, at the time he commenced his 
second expedition, and his first against the Creeks, 
had no United States* troops under his command ; 
indeed he had no authority himself under the gen- 
eral government, being senior major general of 
Tennessee militia. He commenced the arduous 
duty of converting citizens to soldiers, and resorted 
to every possible expedient which a prudent as 
well as an intrepid commander could devise to en- 
sure success. The previous character — The pres- 
ence and example of the general, inspired the sol- 
diers with confidence, and gave them victory in 
anticipation. 

Colonel CoiTee had penetrated with his cavalry 
and mounted volunteers towards the frontiers, and 
was stationed near Huntsville. In the Creek na- 
tion Vv'ere many natives in amity with the United 
States. From them, important information was 
obtained, and by them, essential service was ren- 
dered. Upon the 8th, colonel Coffee informed 



68 MEMOIRS Of 

Gen. Jackson, by express, that froai infornaatioii 
derived from Indian runners, the hostile Creeks 
were in great force, and intended, simultaneously 
to attack the frontiers of Georgia and Tennessee. 
U^ion the 10th, Gen. Jackson, in an unprepared 
state, took up the line of march ; and what is per- 
haps without a parallel for the first day's march, 
reached Huntsviile the same evening, a distance of 
from thirty to forty miles. Colonel Coffee had 
reached the Tennessee river, and Gen. Jackson, 
the next day, overtook him, and united with his re- 
giment upon the bank of that river. Aware that 
<' procrastination is the thief of time," and that 
the ardour of rau- and undisciplined troops was soon 
cooled, he dispatched coldnei Coffee with his 
mounted corps, to explore the river Big Warrior, 
and Etomb-igaby^ commonly called Tombigbee. 

He encamped his own division upon the Tennes- 
see, and was indefatigable in preparing them for 
active service. He remained here but a week ; 
and what will excite the astonishment of those who 
have witnessed the slow progress of raw troops to 
the character of veteran soldiers, he made his ar- 
my such in that time. The mystery is explained 
when it is said, in this corps, at this time, they found 
pleasure in the performance of duty, and the per- 
formance of duty, was the enjoyment of pleasure. 

In the camp of Gen. Jackson, there could hardly 
be said to be a commissary department at this time ; 
and he depended upon various contractors for ca- 



ANDREW JACKSON. JQS^ 

sual rather than regular supplies of provisions. An 
alarming deficiency was found to exist, and an 
uncertainty of supplies was made known. Nothing 
could be so much calculated to repress military 
ardour as this discovery. Men who would face 
death in its most horrible forms, will turn to chil- 
dren at the approach of famine. Gen. Jackson, by 
measures the most efficient, and by entreaties the 
most urgent, endeavoured to secure a supply. Un- 
dismayed himself, he set an example of cheerful- 
ness before his followers, that for a time dispelled 
their apprehensions. 

At this critical period, information was received 
that the Creeks were embodied near the Ten Islands 
on the Coosa, Collecting what provisions could be 
obtained, but a few days' supply, he commenced 
his march upon the iSth for Thompson's Creek. 
His route led through a mountainous country, which 
would seem to have defied the passage of an army 
and the appendages of it. Upon the 22d he ar- 
rived there, where he remained until certain infor- 
mation was received that the Creeks would soon 
commence active operations upon the Coosa. The 
warriors, to an amount whoHy unknown, but who 
were supposed to be very numerous, had assembled? 
in warlike array at Talhishatches. 

Col. Dyer had before been dispatched to attack, 
and if possible, destroy the Indian town oi Littcifut- 
ches. He destroyed the place ; and upon the SSth, 
returned to camp with twenty-nine prisoners of the 



70 MEMOIRS OF 

hostile Creeks, extending that mercy to them b> 
sparing their lives, which their system of warfare 
prohibited them from extending to Americans. 

The main body was encamped about thirteen 
miles from Tallushatches ; and upon the 1st of 
November, a small supply of provision was brought 
into camp. Col. Coffee had been promoted to a 
brigadier- general ; and was dispatched early upon 
the 2d, with 900 cavalry, and mounted riflemen, 
to attack the Creeks in their encampment. Gen. 
Jackson, although convalescent, was at this time, 
extremely debilitated from long indisposition, ex- 
cessive fatigue, and extreme solicitude, and had no 
use of one arm ; but in Gen. Cofifee, he bad an offi- 
cer to whom he might safely entrust an expedition 
of any importance, and of any danger. 

The result of this first important engagement, I 
present to the reader in the language of " Official 
Beports.^^ Deeming this altogether the most pre- 
ferable mode of furnishing the reader with the de- 
tails of battles, I shall adopt it through the work, 
when they can be obtained. 

Gen. JACKSON, to Gov. BLOUNT. 

I Cajnp at Ten Islands, Nov. Wi^ 1813, 

GOVERKOUR BXOUNT, 

Sir — We have retaliated for the destruction of 
Fort Mimms. On the 2d, I detached Gen. Coffee 
with a part of his brigade of cavalry and mounted 
riflemen, to destroy Tallushatches, where a consid- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 7X 

erable force of the hostile Creeks were concen- 
trated. The General executed this in style. An 
hundred and eighty-six of the enemy were found 
dead on the field, and about 80 taken prisoners, 40 
of whom have been brought here. In the number 
left, there is a sufficiency but slightly wounded to 
take care of those who are badly.' 

I have to regret that 5 of my brave fellows 
have been killed, and about 30 wounded ; some 
badly, but none I hope mortally. 

Both officers and men behaved with the utmost 
bravery and deliberation. 

Captains Smith, Bradley, and Winston are wound- 
ed, all slightly. No officer is killed. 

So soon as Gen. Coffee makes his report, I shall 
enclose it. 

If we had a sufficient supply of provisions, we 
should in a very short time accomplish the object 
of the expedition. 

I have the honour to be, with great respect, 
yours, &.C. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

P. S. Seventeen Cherokees, under the command 
of Col. Brown, acted with great bravery in the 
action. Two of Chenubby's sons, and Jim Fife, 
of the Natchez tribe, also distinguished themselves. 
One of the Creek prophets is killed. 

A. J. 

It will be noticed that Gen. Jackson, merely 
alludes to the subject of provisions ; but from 



72 MEMOIRS OJ* 

numerous sources of correct information, it is cer- 
tain at that time, that a very scanty supply was on 
hand. 

The following is general Coffee's report of the 
Battle of Taieushatches, alluded to in the letter 
to Gov. Blount. 

Brig. Gen. COFFEE, to Mu. Gen. JACKSON. 
Camp at Ten Islands, Nov. 4ith, 1813. 
Maj. Gen. Jackson, 

Sir — I had the honour yesterday, of transmitting 
you a short account of an engagement that took 
place between a detachment of about 900 men 
from my brigade, with the enemy at Tallushatches 
town ; the particulars whereof I beg leave herein to 
recite you. Pursuant to your order of the 2(1, I 
detailed from my brigade of cavalry and mounted 
riflemen, 900 men and officers, and proceediiig di- 
rectly to the Tallushatches towns, crossed Coosa 
river at the Fish Dam ford, 3 or 4 miles above this 
place. I arrived within one and a half miles of the 
town, (distant from this place southeast 8 miles,) on 
the morning of the 3d, at which place I divided my 
detachment into two columns, the right compo- 
sed of the cavalry commanded by Col. Allcorn, to 
cross over a large creek that lay between us and 
the towns : the left column was of the mounted 
riflemen under the command of Col. Cannon, with 
whom I marched myself. Col. Allcorn was order- 
ed to march up on the right, and encircle one half 



ANDRE\V JACKSON. f$ 

of the town, and at the same time the left would 
form a half circle on tlie left, and unite the head 
of the columns in front of the town : all of which was 
performed as I could wish. When I arrived within 
half a mile of the town, the drums of the enemy 
began to beat, mingled with their savage yells, 
preparing for action. It was after sunrise an hour 
when the action was brought on by Capt. Ham- 
mond and Lieut. Patterson's companies, who had 
gone on within the circle of alignment for the pur- 
pose of drawing out the enemy from their build- 
ings, which had the most happy effect. As soon 
as Capt. Hammond exhibited his front in view of 
the town, (which stood in an open woodland) and 
gave a few scattering shot, the enemy formed and 
made a violent charge on him ; he gave way as they 
advanced, until they met our right column, which 
gave them a general fire, and then charged ; this 
changed the direction of charge completely ; the 
enemy retreated firing, until they got around, and 
in their buildings, where they made all the resist- 
ance that an overpowered soldier could do ; they 
fought as long as one existed, but their destruction 
was very soon completed ; our men rushed up to the 
doors of the houses, and in a few minutes killed 
the last warrior of them ; the enemy fought with 
savage fury, and met death with all its horrors, 
without shrinking or complaining : not one asked 
to be spared, but fought as long as they could stand 

or sit. In consequence of their flying to their hou- 
7 



74s MEMOIRS 01' 

ses and mixing with the families, our meu, In kil: 
ling the males, without intention, killed and wound- 
ed a few of the squaws and children, which was 
regretted by every officer and soldier of the de- 
tachment, but which could not be avoided. 

The number of the enemy killed, was 186, that 
were counted, and a number of others that were 
killed in the weeds not found. I think the calcu- 
lation a reasonable one, to say 200 of them were 
killed, and 84 prisoners of women and children, 
were taken ; not one of the warriors escaped to 
carry the news, a circumstance unknown hereto- 
fore. 

We lost 5 men killed, and 41 wounded, none mor- 
tally, the greater part slightly, a number with ar- 
rows ; this appears to form a very principal part of 
the enemy's arms for warfare, every man having 
a bow with a bundle of arrows, which is used after 
the first fire with the gun, until a leisure time for 
loading offers. 

It is with pleasure I say that our men acted with 
deliberation and firmness — notwithstanding our 
numbers were superior to that of the enemy, it was 
a circumstance to us unknown, and froai the parade 
of the enemy we had every reason to suppose 
them our equals in number : but there appeared 
no visible traces of alarm in any, but on the con- 
trary all appeared cool and determined, and no 
doubt when they face a foe of their own, or superi- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 75 

or number, they will show the same courage as on 
this occasion. 

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, sir, 
your obedient servant, 

JOHN COFFEE. 
Brig. Gen. of Cavalry and Riflemen. 

Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson. 

Killed^ 5 privates. 

Wonndedi 4i captains, 2 lieutenants, 2 cornets, 
3 sers^eants, 5 corporals, 1 artificer, 24 privates. 
Total killed and wounded, 46. 

In this report, the reader will readily see, that 
while general Coffee is gratified at communicating 
an account of victory, he is grieved at some of 
the circumstances attending it. '' Not one," he 
says, *' asked to be spared" — and without asking 
quarter, and continuing to fight, they could Jiot be 
spared. The regret expressed at killing and 
wounding some of the women and children, min- 
gled with the warriors, and which could not be 
avoided, shews that brave men are always humane. 



7^^ MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER VI. 

Tennessee forces — Collisions in armies — Establishment of Foit 
Strother — Perilous situation of friendly Creeks — Dispatch to 
Gen. White — his conduct— Battle of Talladega — Geh. Jack- 
bon's account of it. 

AT the commencement of the campaign, in the 
Creek nation, in 1813, the Tennessee forces, Mili- 
tia and Volunteers, that were called into service, 
consisted of two divisions — one of West Tennes- 
see, commanded by Maj. Gen. Jackson, the oth- 
er of East Tennessee, commanded by Maj. Gen. 
Cocke. The division of the Tennessee forces 
seemed to be governed by the division which na- 
ttire has made of this state by the range of the 
Cumberland mountains, running from north to 
south. Maj. Gen. Thomas Pinckney, of the Uni- 
ted States' array, was commander in chief of the 
military district in which these troops were raised 
and organized. 

Whether 14. was designed by the executive of 
Tennessee that the two divisions of its forces should 
act in concert, or remain two distinct corps, acting 
independently of each other, cannot positively be 
determined by the writer. The first is altogether 
the most probable ; indeed it is rendered almost 
certain from the course pursued by Gen. Jack- 
son. It cannot for a moment be supposed, that a 
man who had so long been in public lifC'— filling 



ANDREW JACKSON. 77 

exalted and highly responsible stations in the civil 
and military departments, would arrogate to him- 
self an authority which was not expressly, or by 
the fairest implication, bestowed upon him. He is- 
sued orders to the division under Gen. Cocke. 
The unfortunate collisions, misunderstandings, and 
jealousies which for a time obstructed, and nearly 
thwarted the important and hazardous expedition 
into the country of the Creeks, though reluctantly, 
must necessarily, be alluded to, to shosv the course 
pursued by Gen. Jackson. 

Although the patriot will lament the exist en e 
of feuds in a patriotic army, let it be remem!)ertd 
they were not confined to the militia in the last war, 
nor to those between the militia of the staies, and 
the national forces ; but that they existed in some 
departments of the United States' army itself. The 
northern campaign of 18 13, is not forgotten, nor 
the ' Failure of our arms on the Northern Frontier^ 
erased from recollection. Gen. Wiikuison declares 
in a General Order — '* The Commander in Chief 
is compelled to retire, [from the Canadian shore,] 
by the extraordinary, unexampled, and it appears^ 
unwarrantable conduct of Maj. Gtn. Hampton, 
In refusing to join this army with a division of 
4000 men under his command, agreeable to posi- 
tive orders from the Commander in Chief." 

The brilliant victory at Tallr.shatches, and the 
total defeat of the savages, from which, to use the 

language of Gen. Coffee, " not one of the warriors 

7 ^ 



78 MEMOIRS OF 

escaped to tell the news^^ induced Gen. Jackson to 
take the most efficient measures to follow up the 
encouraging success the army had met with, by 
more important operations. To accomplish this, 
he sent an express upon Nov. 4th, (the date of his 
first official account,) to Brig. Gen. White of Gen. 
Cocke's division, who was only twenty-five miles 
distant, ordering him with the troops in his com- 
mand, to form a junction with him at Fort Strother, 
which he had established as a depot. His object 
in forming this junction, was to augment liis forces 
to such an amount, as to enable him to go forward 
with confidence in attacking the enemy, and leave 
a force in the rear sufficient to protect the sick, and 
guard the baggage. Althougli he had twice before 
sent similar orders, not a word of intelligence was 
received from him. Upon the 7th, he dispatched 
another express. Upon this day information was 
received by Gen. Jackson, that a fortress of friendly 
Indians at Talladega, thirty miles distant from Fort 
Strother, was in imminent danger of total destruc- 
tion, and the natives to indiscriminate massacre, by 
the hostile Creeks. They had espoused the cause 
of the Americans ; and of course had incurred all 
the vengeful malice which natural ferocity, increas- 
ed by religious fanaticism, could feel towards them. 
They were surrounded by a numerous body of infu- 
riated Creeks. Their runners beseeched Gen. Jack- 
son to relieve them from their perilous situation. 
The same sentiment that induced the general to 
hazard his reputation in protecting his countrymen 



ANDREW JACKSON. 79 

at Natchez, induced him, without hesitation, to ex- 
tend protection to those faithful natives, whose fate 
was identified with the success or defeat of the 
American arms. He commenced his march, com- 
manding in person, at 12 o'clock in the evening. 
He dispatched another express to Gen. White, to 
repair that night to Fort Strother and protect it in 
his absence. To his inexpressible surprise, in a 
short time he received a message from him that he 
had, agreeable to his order, commenced a march to 
Fort Strother, bat that he had received counter or- 
ders from Maj. Gen. Cocke, to join him at Chatuga 
creek ! — and that he should obey him ! 

A situation more embarrassing can hardly be 
imagined. His sick and baggage in his rear, liable 
every moment to destruction — the friendly Creeks 
in his front in momentary danger of annihilation. 
The hour of decision had come. Relying upon the 
gallantry of his troops — knowing the justice of his 
cause, and hoping for the protection of heaven, he 
rapidly advanced upon the enemy, ignorant of their 
force. The result 1 give in the general's own lan-r 
guage. 

Maj. Gek. JACKSON to Gov. BLOUNT. 

Camp Strother, near Ten Islands of Coosa. 

Nov. nth, 1813. 
Sir — I am just returned from an excursion which 
I took a few days ago, and hasten to acquaint yon 
with the result. 



80 MEMOIRS OP 

Late on the evenhij^ of the 7th inst a runner 
arrived from the friendly party iuLashley's Fort, 
(Talladega) distant about thirty miles below us 
with the information that the hostile Creeks, in 
great force, had encamped near the place, and were 
preparinsj to destroy it ; and earnestly entreated 
that I would lose no tim^ in affording them relief. 
Urged by their situation, as well as by a wish to 
meet the enemy so soon as an opportunity would 
oflTer, I determined upon commencing my march 
thither with all my disposable force, in the course 
of the night ; and immediately dispatched an .ex- 
press to Gen White, advising: him of my intended 
movement, and urged him to hasten to this encamp- 
ment by a forced march, in order to protect it in my 
absence* I had repeatedly written to the general, 
to form a junction with me as speedily as practica- 
ble, and a few days before had received his.assurance, 
that on the 7th he would join me. I commenced 
crossing the river at the Ten Islands, leavini^ be- 
hind me my baggage waggons and whatever might 
retard my progress ; and encamped that night with- 
in six miles of the fort 1 had set out to relieve. At 
midnight I had received by an Indian runner, a 
letter from Gen. White, informing me that he had 
received my order, but that he had altered his 
course, and was on his march backwards to join 
Major Gen. Cocke, near the mouth of the Cliatuga. 
I will not now remark upon the strangeness of this 
manoeuvre: but it was now too late to change my 



ANDREW JACKSON, ^ 

plan, or make any new arrangements ; and be- 
tween 3 and 4 o'clock, I recommenced my march 
to meet the enemy, who were encamped within a 
quarter of a mile of the fort. At sunrise we came 
within half a mile of them, and having formed my 
men, I moved on in battle order. The Infantry 
were in three lines — the militia on the left, and the 
volunteers on the right. The cavalry formed the 
two extreme wings, and were ordered to advance in 
a. curve, keeping their rear connected with the ad- 
vance of their infantry lines, and enclose the enemy 
in a circle. The advanced guard whom I sent for- 
ward to bring on the engagement, met the attack of 
the enemy with great intrepidity ; and having pour^ 
ed upon them four or five very galling rounds, fell 
back as they had been previously ordered, to the 
main army. The enemy pursued, and the front line 
was now ordered to advance and meet him ; but 
owing to some misunderstanding, a few companies 
of militia, who composed a part of it, commenced a 
retreat. At this moment a corps of cavalry, com- 
manded by Lieut. Col. Dyer, which I had kept as 
a reserve was ordered to dismount, and fill up the 
vacancy occasioned by the retreat. This order was 
executed with a great deal of promptitude and ef- 
fect. The militia seeing this, speedily rallied : 
and the fire became general along the front line, 
and on that part of the wings which was contiguous. 
The enemy, unable to stand it, began to retreat ; 
but were met at every turn, and repulsed in every 



82 MEMOIRS OF 

direction. The right wing chased them, with a 
most destructive fire, to the mountains, a distance of 
about three miles — and had I not been compelled 
by the faux pas of the militia in the outset of the 
battle, to dismount my reserve, I believe not a man 
of them would have escaped. The vicjtory, how- 
ever, was very decisive — 290 of the enemy were 
left dead — and there can be no doubt but many 
more were killed who were not found. Wherever 
they ran, they left behind traces of blood ; and it is 
believed that very few will return to their villages 
in as sound a condition as they left them, I was 
compelled to return to this place to protect the sick 
and wounded, and get my baggage on. 

In the engagement, we lost 15 killed, and ^^ 
wounded — 2 of them have since die d. All the offi- 
cers acted with the utmost bravery, and so did all 
the privates, except that part of the militia who re- 
treated at the commencement of the battle — and 
they hastened to atone for their error. Taking 
the whole together they have realized the high ex- 
pectations I had formed of them, and have fairly en- 
titled themselves to the gratitude of their country. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 
His Excellency Willie Blount, Nashville, 

The following additional dispatch completes the 
account of the B\ttle of Talladega. 
Camp SlrothcTy near Fen Islands ^ 1 5th N$v. 1813. 

You will perreive from a draft which I shall send 
you, that had tliere been no departure from the ori- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 83 

ginal order of battle, not an Indian could have es- 
caped ; and even as the battle did terminate, I 
believe that no impartial man can say that a more 
splendid result, has, in any instance attended our 
arras on land, since the commencement of the war. 
The force of the enemy is represented by them- 
selves to have been 1080 ; and it does not appear 
from their fire and the space of ground which they 
occupied, that their number can have been less. 
Two hundred and ninety-nine were left dead on the 
ground ; and no doubt many more were killed who 
were not found. It is believed that very few esca- 
ped without a wound. In a very few weeks, if I 
had a sufficiency of supplies, I am thoroughly con- 
vinced I should be able to put an end to Creek 
hostilities. 

Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the 
advance, led on by Col. Carrol, for the spirited man- 
ner in which they commenced and sustained the 
attack ; nor upon the reserve, commanded by 
Lieut. Col. Dyer, and composed of Capt's. Smith's 
Morton's, Axum's, Edwards', and Hammond's com- 
panies, for the gallantry with which they met and 
repulsed the enemy. In a word, officers of every 
grade, as well as the privates, realized the high 
expectations I had formed of them, and merit the 
gratitude of their country. 

I should be doing injustice to my staff, composed 
of Majors Reidand Searcy, my aids, Col Sitler and 
Major Anthony, Adjutant, and assistant Adjutant- 



84} MEMOIRS OT 

General ; Col. Carrol, Inspector-General ; Major j 

Strother, topographer ; Mr. Cunningham, my Sec- I 

retary ; and Col. Stokey D. Haynes, Quarter-Mas- \ 
ter-General ; not to say that they were every where 

inthemidstofdanger,circulatiDg my orders. They j 
deserve and receive my thanks. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. i 

In reading this account of the second victory ob- ; 

tained over the Creeks, it cannot have escaped the ! 

notice of the reader, with what delicacy the gene- i 

ral mentions the retreat of a part of his force, and ; 

with what readiness he endeavours to exculpate ' 

them from censure, by saying — ** thei/ hastened te \ 

atone for their error?"* This retreat, however, had a '■ 

most pernicious efiect. It tended to excuse subse- j 

quent retreats, and to encourage the desponding \ 

hopes of the Indian warriors. When they once saw \ 

an assailing enemy shrink from a sanguinary com ' 

bat, they expected to see it again. \ 



ANDREW JACKSON. 85 



CHAPTER VII. 

Consequences of Brig. Gen. White's conduct — Hillahees sue for 
^ peace to Gen. Jackson — Gen. White destroys their towns- 
Measures of the Georgia Legislature^ Victory at Autoussee—- 
Brig. Gen. Floyd's account of it — Gen. Jackson's situation in 
December, 1813 — Mutiny among his troops — also in Gen. Cof- 
fee's brigade — dismissal of both. 

IN consequence of the refusal of Brig. Gen. 
White to form a junction with Gen. Jackson, or to 
repair to Fort Strother in his absence, he was com- 
pelled to relinquish his intentions of carrying the 
war forward into the Indian territories, and to re- 
turn hack with his wounded to that fortress. This 
conduct of Gen. White, acting under Maj. Gen. 
Cocke, was productive of a double disadvantage, 
and a double injury — it prolonged the war with 
the Creeks, and compelled those of them who wish- 
ed for peace, to continue to fight. 

The Hillabee tribes, after the signal victory at 
Talladega^ were solicitous to make peace \yith 
Gen. Jackson and the United States. He was as 
ready to negociate as to conquer ; but before any 
terms could be made, Gen. White attacked them 
— and, while they were preparing to bury the tom- 
ahawk, they were compelled to wield it. Suppos- 
ing^ that the forces under Gen. White, were a part 
of Gen. Jackson's army, and that while they were 

sueijig for peace, to be assailed by a superior force, 
8 



SG> MEMOIRS Of 

was unjustifiable duplicity, they became more en- 
raged than ever. Desperation took the place of 
timidity, and, during the remainder of the war, the 
HiJlabees never asked quarter, nor granted it. 
They fought with the raging fury of maniacs ; and 
each one seemed to have become a " Son ofAlkno- 
fnockf who scorned to cotnplain''^ — they asked no 
favours, and extended no mercy. 

Gen. White destroyed the Hillabee towns as he 
enterd them by conflagration. The first town 
was Little Oakfiiskie^ of thirty houses ; the second 
Genalga, of ninety-three houses. Nittt/ Choptoa, 
to use his own language, he " considered it most 
prudent not to destroy, as it might possibly be of 
use at some future period.'' Upon the iSth No- 
vember, he entered an Hillabee town, " consisting" 
as he says, " oi about 3J6, (hostile Creeks,) of 
which number, about 60 warriors were killed on the 
spot, and the rest made prisoners." This town he 
also destroyed. In his report he says — " We lost 
not one drop of blood in accomplishing this enter- 
prize." It is without a parallel, in Indian warfare, 
that so many warriors should be slain and captu- 
red, and " not one drop of blood" should be lost by 
the force assailing thera ; and can be accounted for^ 
perhaps upon no other principle, than that the Hill' 
abees scorned to shed the blood of those to whom 
they were, at the very time, supplicating for peace ! 
The facts are before the reader — he must make his 
own inferences. It will surely be recollected that 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



sir 



Gen. Jackson, however sanguinary necessity com- 
pelled him to make the war after this period, had 
hitherto exercised a lenity towards the Creeks, al- 
most inconsistent with energy. He had acted like 
an humane conqueror, who chose rather to concili- 
ate a ruthless foe by mercy, than to exterminate 
them by the sword. 

It has previously been stated, that the Creeks, 
had determined to attack the frontiers of Georgia 
and Tennessee, simultaneously. Measures equally 
efficient with those adopted by the executive and 
legislature of Tennessee were adopted by the ex- 
ecutive and legislature of Georgia. His Excel- 
lency Peter Early ^ governour of that state, upon 
the 8th November, 18 1 3, communicated to the 
Senate and House of Representatives, the informa- 
tion he had received of savage depredations and 
murders upon the frontiers. The legislature im- 
mediately authorized the governour, to cause the 
frontiers to be put in a state of defence, and to 
send a sufficient force into the heart of the Creek 
country. As the executive and military powers of 
Georgia acted in concert with Gen. Jackson, the 
measures pursued by them must necessarily be al- 
luded to. 

Brig. Gen. John Floyd^ commanded the Georgia 
militia. The victory obtained by him at Autoussee 
upon the Talapoosa river, was a signal advantage 
to the American arms. It tended to increase the 
fears of the Creeks, and to hasten the conquest of 



38 MEMOIRS Olr 

their country. Sensible that no description of tills 
battle will be so gratifying to the reader, as that 
given to the accomplished commander of the gal- 
lant troops who achieved the victory, I present it 
in the language of the general to Gov. Early. 

" Having received information that numbers of 
the hostile Indians were assembled at Autoussee,^ 
town on the southern bank of the Talapoosa, 
about 18 miles from the Hickory Ground, and 20 
above the junction of that river with the Coosa, I 
proceeded to its attack, with 950 of the Georgia 
militia, accompanied by between 3 and 400 friend- 
ly. Indians. Having encamped withiai nine or ten 
miles of the point of destination the preceding 
evening, we resumed the march, a few minutes 
before one on the morning of the 29th, and at half 
past six were formed for action in front of the 
town. 

Booth's battalion composed the right column, 
and marched from its centre. Watson*s battalion 

composed the left, and marched from its right 

Adams' rifle company, and Mcrriwether's under 
Lieut. Hendon, were on the flanks—Capt. Thomas' 
artillery marched in front of the right column in 
the road. 

It was my intention to have completely surroun- 
ded the enemy, hy appaying the right wing of my 
force, on Canleebee Creek, at the mouth of which 
I was informed the town stood, and resting the 
left on the river bank below the town, but to 



ANDREW JACKSON. S^ 

our surprise, as the day dawned, we perceived a 
second town about 500 yards below that which we 
had first viewed, and were preparing to attack. 
The plan was immediately changed — three com- 
panies of infantry on the left were wheeled into 
echelon^ and advanced to the low town, accompa- 
nied by Merriwether's rifle company, and two 
troops of light dragoons under the command of 
Captains Irwin and Steele. 

The residue of the force approached the upper 
town, and the battle soon became general. The 
Indians presented themselves at every point, and 
fought with the desperate bravery of real fanatics. 
The well directed fire, however of the artillery, 
added to the charge of the bayonet, soon forced 
them to take refu2;e in the out-houses, thickets, and 
copses, in rear of the town; many, it is believed, 
concealed themselves in caves, previously formed 
for the purpose of secure retreat, in the high bluff 
of the river, which was thickly covered with reed 
and brush wood. The Indians of the friendly pat- 
ty who accompanied us on the expedition, were di- 
vided into four companies, and placed under the 
command of leaders of their selection. They were, 
by engagement entered into the day previous, to have 
crossed the river above the town, and been post- 
ed on the opposite shore during the action, for 
the purpose of firing on such of the enefwy as might 
attempt to escape, or keep in check any reinforce- 
ment which might probably be thrown in fi:om the 
8 ^ 



[)0 ilKMOmS OF 

neighbouring town; but owing to the difficulty o£ 
the ford, aiid coldness of the weather, and the 
lateness of the hour, this arrangement failed, and 
their leaders were directed to cross Canleebee 
creek, and occupy that tlank, to prevent escapes 
from the Tallassee town. Some time after the ac- 
tion commenced, our red friends thronged in disor- 
er in the rear of our lines. The Cowetaws under 
M'Intosh, and Tookaubatchians under the Mad 
Dog's Son, fell in on our flanks, and fought with 
an intrepidity worthy of any troops. 

At 9 o'clock, the enemy was completely driven 
from the plain, and the houses of both towns wrap- 
ped in flames. As we were then 60 miles from any 
depot of provisions, and our five days' rations pretty 
much reduced, in the heart of an enemy's country, 
which, in a few moments, could have poured from 
its numerous towns, hosts of the fiercest warriors — 
as soon as the dead and wounded were properly 
disposed of, I ordered the place to be abandoned, 
and the troops to commence their march to Chata- 
houchie. 

It is difiicult to determine the strength of the en- 
emy, but from the information of some of the chiefs, 
which it is said can be relied upon, tliere were as- 
sembled at Autoussee, warriors from eight towns, 
for its defence, it being their beloved ground on' 
which they proclaimed no white man could approach 
■without inevitable destruction. It is difficult to 
give a precise account of the loss of the enemy ; 



ANDREW JACKSON. ' 91 

but from the number which were lying scattered 
over tJie field, together with those destroyed in 
the towns, and the raany slain on the bank of the 
river, which respectable efficers affirm they saw 
iaying in heaps at the waters' edge, where they had 
been precipitated by their surviving friends, their 
loss in killed, independent of their wounded, must 
have been at least 200 [among whom were the 
Autoussee and Tallassee kings] and from the cir- 
cumstance of their making no efforts to molest our 
return, probably greater. The number of buildings 
burnt, some of a superiour order for the dwellings 
of savages, and filled with valuable articles, is sup- 
posed to be 400. 

Adjt. Gen. Newman rendered important services 
during the action, by his cool and deliberate cour- 
age. My aid, Major Crawford, discharged with 
promptitude the duties of a brave and raeritorous 
officer. Maj. Pace, who acted as field aid, also 
distinguished hijuself ; both these gentlemen had 
their horses shot under them, and the latter lost 
his. Dr. Williamson, hospital surgeon, and Dr. 
CloptoD, were prompt and attentive in the dis- 
charge of their duty towards the wounded, during 
the action. 

Major Freeman, at the head of Irwin's troop of 
cavalry, and part of Steele's, made a furious and 
successful charge upon a body of Indians, sabred se- 
veral, and completely defeated them ; Capt. Thom- 
as and his company, Capt. Adams and Lieut. Hen- 



92 MEMOIRS OF 

don's rifle companies, killed a great many Indians, 
and deserve particular praise : Capt. Barton's com- 
pany M'as in the hottest of the battle, and fought 
like soldiers. Capt. Myric, Capt. Little, Capt- 
King, Capt. Broadnax, Capt. Cleaveland, Capt. Jo- 
seph T. Cunningham, anvl Capt. Lee, with their 
companies, distinguished themselves. Brig. Gen. 
Shackleford was of great service in bringing the 
troops into action ; and Adjt. Broadnax, and Major 
Blontgomery, who acted as assistant Adjutant, show- 
ed great activity and courage. Major Booth used 
his best endeavours in bringing his battalion to ac- 
tion, and Maj. Watson's battalion acted with con- 
siderable spirit. Irwin's Patterson's, and Steele's 
troops of cavalry, whenever an opportunity present- 
ed, charged with success. Lieut. Strong had his 
horse shot, and narrowly escaped, and Quarter 
Master Tennell displayed the greatest heroism., and 
miraculously escaped, though badly wounded, after 
having his horse shot from under him. The topo- 
graphical engineer was vigilant in his endeavours 
to render service. 

The troops deserve the highest praise for their 
fortitude in enduring hunger, cold, and fatigue, 
without a murmur, having marched 120 miles in 
seven days. 

The friendly Indians lost several killed and wound- 
ed, the number not exactly known. Capt. Barton, 
an active and intelligent officer, (the bearer of these 
dispatches) can more particularly explain to your 



ANDREW JACKSON. 98 

excellency the conduct, movements, and operations 
of the army." 

The importance of this victory may be duly ap- 
preciated, when it is considered, that besides the 
death of two kings, and two hundred warriors — 
double that number wounded — and four hundred 
superiour Indian residences destroyed ; the reli- 
gious charm that had led them on to desperation, 
was dissolved. Upon " their beloved ground on 
which they proclaimed no lu/iite man could approach^ 
tdthout inevitable destruction,^'' they saw their cliiefs 
and warriors fall — their houses consume, and the 
whites lose but eleven men. 

It is a little singular that Gen. Floyd should 
mention every officer that was wounded, and even 
every officer's horse that was killed, and omit to 
mention, that he was very badly wounded himself. 
A brave man is always modest in regard to his own 
merits ; but the general seemed to have that modes- 
ty, which may be denominated, false, in omitting 
this in his official report. 

While these interesting events were taking place 
in one part of the Creek country, Gen. Jsckson 
was placed in a most unpleasant, not to say peril- 
ous, situation, at Fort Strother. His volunteers, 
who had become familiar with service, by descend- 
ing the Missisippi the preceding campaign, and 
who, with the Tennessee militia, had become famil- 
iar with victory over the Creeks, began to look 
toward home^ for the ease and tranquillity of private 



04 MEMOIRS OF 

life, and to the ordinary pursuits of private business, 
as the means of advancing private interest. No 
man in the service had more reasons to wish and 
pant for retirement, than Gen. Jackson. His so- 
licitude as commander — his extremely debilitated 
state of health — the disaffection of his men — the 
deficiency of supplies for his arm}'— the conduct of 
the East Tennessee militia, under Gen. Cocke, 
and the open mutiny of some part of his army? 
presented a tissue of discouraging considerations, 
which would have disheartened a man of more than 
ordinary fortitude. Had he retired from the ser- 
vice of his country at this time, he would have re- 
tired with honour and with approbation. But he 
believed, ami tc acted upon the principle, that 
until '* all was done, nothing loas done.^^ He kiiew 
that the hopes of the frontier settlers of Tennessee 
and Georgia were fixed upon him ; he knew that 
they had derived encouragement from his successes, 
and that from his exertions they hoped to be placed 
in a state of permanent security. Having encoun- 
tered and overcome diflaculties before, he resolved 
to encounter them again, for he was now in the 
midst of them. 

The '' Tennessee Volunteers," claimed to be 
discharged on the ground of having served one 
year out o{ txvo, from the time they were organized. 
Many of the officers, who belonged to this corps, 
deserted the ground they ought to have maintained 
as soldiers, and resorted to arguments which would 



ANDREW JACKSON. 95 

have disgraced pettifoggers. Although they had 
not served a year, they had for that period been 
organized, and they were very much disposed to 
give weight to arguments which coincided with 
their inclinations. They resolved to leave a wil- 
derness where they were surrounded by implacable 
enemies ; exposed to severe privations, and in ex- 
pectation of enduring the dreadful horrors of fa- 
mine. Gen. Jackson exerted every faculty to 
arouse their desponding spirits. He appealed to 
the pride of the volunteers, by reminding them of 
the expedition to Natchez, and of the victories which 
they, and the militia, had gained over the Creeks. 
He appealed to the sensibility of them all, by rep- 
resenting the danger of their fathers and mothers, 
their wives and children. He alluded to the mas- 
sacre at Fort Mimms, in Missisippi, and endeavour- 
ed to arouse their revenge. H6 endeavoured to 
excite their vanity, by speaking of the fame the 
" Tennessee Volunteers" had acquired at Tallns- 
hatches and Talladega. But every avenue to per- 
suasion was closed. The cogent addresses of the 
general, were lost upon the apathy of the soldiers, 
and the volunteers became mutineers. The gene- 
ral laid aside the language of entreaty and assumed 
that of command. He prevented, at the hazard of 
his life, the departure of the troops ; but soon 
found that an array which nqnired one half of it 
to guard the other, had no efficiency. He ordered 
them to be marched home, and to be disposed of 
by the President, or the Governour of Tennes&ee- 



9G MEMOIRS OF 

It was now about the middle of December. 
Gen. Cocke, had for the first time joined Gen. 
Jackson ; but upon finding the time for which Ms 
men were enlisted, had nearly expired, and that he 
could not hope from patriotism, what he could not 
enforce by power, he ordererl Gen. Cocke to march 
his troops home. But few troops now remained 
with Gen. Jackson. Soon after the battle of Tal- 
ladega, Brig. Gen. Coffee's mounted volunteers 
and cavalry, were permitted to retire into the set- 
tlements, to recruit the^Jr horses. They were fo 
rendezvous at Huntsville, in Missisippi, upon the 
8th December, where Gen. Coffee was dangerously 
sick. Upon this excellent officer and his gallant 
men, Gen. Jackson placed the most confident reli- 
ance. They rendezvoused upon the 8th ; but they 
had caught the infection that pervaded the infantry 
— the fever of private life. They however pro- 
ceeded toward head quarters ; but they were no 
longer *^ the men they ivere.'*^ It must always b^ 
admitted, that they had already rendered essential 
service to their country, and it was the reputation 
they liad acquired, that rendered it desirable to 
have them continue in the service. Gen. Jackson, 
seconded in al! his views by the gallant Coffee, and 
by many patriots of the first water, exerted again 
'lis great powers ; but exerted them in vain. Gov. 
Blount ordered the volunteers to be dumissed, and 
they returncfl home. 



ANDREW JACKSOX. 9? 



CHAPTER VIII. 

General Jackson's situation at the commencement of 1814 — his 
hopes revive — Victory at Eccanachaca, or Holy Ground — With- 
erford, the Indian Prophet — Col. Carroll joms Gen. Jackson — 
Victories at Emuckfa-w^ Jan. 22d — at EnotachopcOf the 24th — 
Gen. Jackson's official report of them — ^Applause bestowed 
upon soldiers, 

GEN. JACKSON was now in a situation which 
required all the fortitude of the man — all the nerve 
of the soldier, aud all the sagacity of the statesman. 
Fie held frequent communications with Gov. Blount 
of Tennessee, Gov. Early of Georgia, and Maj. 
Gen Pinckney; and his opinion seemed to be a 
guide for their'* s. Certain it is, that Gov. Blount, 
toward the close of 1813, owing to the disaflectiou 
of the Tennessee troops, and the reluctance with 
which volunteers appeared, recommended an aban- 
donment of the expedition into the Creek country. 
The urgent and cogent expostulations of Gen. 
Jackson, induced him to change his opinion, and to 
resort to the most energetic measures to prosecute 
the war which had been so successfully commenced 
by hirn. 

Perhaps the situation of Gen. Jackson, at this 
time, cannot be better described than it is in the 
following lett€r,nvritten by a gentleman, known by 
the author to be of the first respectability. 
9 



98 MEMOIRS OF 

Huntsville, M. T.Dec, 23, 1818. 
« Since the battle of Tallushatches and Tallade- 
ga, the army of Gen. Jackson has crumbled to pie- 
ces. The whole of bis volunteer infantry are 
returning home — insisting that their time of service 
expired on the lOthof this month, being the anniver- 
sary of their rendezvous at Nashville. The general, 
however, did not discharge them ; the decision is 
left with the governour of Tennessee. What be will 
do, is not yet known. The universal impression, 
however, is, that they will be discharged. Yet 
nothing is more clear than that they have not ser- 
ved 12 months — and they were, by law, to serve 
12 months in a period of 2 years, unless sooner 
discharged. The general's force now at fort Stro- 
ther. Ten Islands of Toosa, may amount to about 
1600 men, chiefly drafted militia. Of these, nearly 
the whole will be entitled to discharge about the 
4th of the ensuing month. It is supposed that not 
more than 150, or 200 (who are attached to the 
general personally, and will remain through motives 
of afl'cction,) will be left with him after that day. 
Doubtless you know that the brigade of cavalry 
volunteers and mounted riflemen under the com- 
mand of Gen. Coffee, were some time since ordered 
into the settlements to recruit their horses for a few 
days, and procure new ones. About half, perhaps 
800, appeared at the day and place of rendezvous ; 
but of these not more than 600 would consent to 
go on after the 10th. About half of this last num- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 99 

ber were of the old volunteer cavalry, the rest 
mounted men newly raised. The first will cer- 
tainly return with the vohniteer infantry, their term 
commencing and expiring together. The last claim 
a discharge at the expiration of three mouths from 
the day they were mustered into service ; which 
must be nearly out. We may say, then, that all 
these are gone too. Yet Gen. Jackson has very 
recently received an order from Gen. Pinckney, to 
garrison and maintain every inch of ground he gains. 
And although all active exertions of the campaign 
seem to be paralised, I still hope this may, and will 
be done. Gen. Cocke is now in East Tennessee, en- 
deavouring to collect a new levy ; as to his success 
we know nothing. But Gen. Roberts, from West 
Tennessee, passed through our country three days 
ago, and has just crossed the river with about 250 
men. Col. Carrol, inspector-general of this army, 
arrived to day with a force of 5 or 600, and 4 com- 
panies are proposed to be sent from this county. 
How long these men are to serve, I know not- not 
longer I fancy than three months. I trust, however, 
that this system of short service, wretched as it is in- 
efficient, and expensive above all others, will yet 
enable Jackson to occupy till spring the ground he 
has won. Perhaps the return of moderate weather, 
and great efforts meanwhile, may collect around his 
banner, an army sufficient to effect the complete dis- 
comfiture and prostration of the Creek power. This, 
however, will be every day a work of greater diffi- 



100 MEMOIRS 01 

culty. The English have already appeared in 
force at Pensacola, 7 sail having troops on board, 
besides two bomb vessels. Orleans will be mena- 
ced. Mobile is considered in great danger. The 
force on the Tombigbee waters, and the 3d regiment 
ascending the Alabama, will be called to its defence. 
This gives the Creeks breathing time, and lessens 
the force destined to crush them. Augustine, too, 
will doubtless be occupied by British troops ; and 
from these points, arms, ammunition, and perhaps 
men and leaders, will be pushed to the aid of the 
Upper and Middle Creeks. The Seminoles and 
the runaway negroes among them, may be turned 
loose upon the sea coast of Georgia." 

To experienced olTicers and soldiers, who know 
the importance of efficient authority in a com- 
mander, and the necessity of strict obedience in 
an army, the circumstances in which Gen. Jackson 
was placed, would be considered as calculated to 
excite apprehensions, if not discouragement. His 
army Nvas an anomaly in military tactics. It would 
remind a spectator of a board of actors at a theatre, 
who individually entered the stage — performed the 
part of a comedian or a tragedian, and made 
each one his exit, as whim or fancy dictated — and 
returned at call of the manager, or disappeared 
forever. 

The firmness, the constancy, and the courage of 
Gen. Jackson, increased as the prospects of suc- 
cess diminished. As to his enemies, the Creeks. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 101 

he was ready to meet them with almost any dispar- 
ity of force. To meet them was to conquer them. 
But to see his friends disheartened, and his secret 
enemies plotting his discomfiture, was " the unkind- 
est cutofalW* and would have justified him in ex- 
claiming, with a most pathetic bard— 

"The shaft that deepest in my bosom went, 

" Flew from the bow pretended friendship bent.*- 

General Jackson found every appeal he made to 
the patriotism of the troops, when the day of dis- 
charge arrived, wholly fruitless, and he no longer 
attempted to detain them. It was to him a source 
of real consolation, however, that a number of per- 
sonal friends, and accomplished officers, remained 
true to him, to their country, and to their God* 
From them, he knew he should derive every assist- 
ance in preparing the new recruits, who were as- 
sembling at Huntsville, in Missisippi, and who 
had not become infected with mutiny. 

As the most impervious darkness, is said to per- 
vade the horizon immediately before the dawn of 
day, so when the darkest clouds of adversity en- 
veloped Gen. Jackson, and his few patriotic asso- 
ciates, the most cheering reverse of fortune was at 
hand. 

Although there was no immediate connection be 

tween the volunteers upon the Alabama river, under 

the command of Brig. Gen. Claiborne, yet the for° 

-es under each, as well as those under the gal- 
9# 



(02 MEMOIRS OF 

lant Gen. Floyd, all acted in concert. Gen. Jack- 
son was constantly advised of their movements, 
and constantly exerting himself to relieve them. 
He had no wish to monopolize the glory of con- 
quering the most warlike tribe of barbarians in the 
universe. He wished for no laurels, but the grati- 
tude of his countrymen, for tke protection which 
he and other gallant officers and soldiers migh se- 
cure for them. 

About the Ist of January, J 8 14, he received the 
animating intelligence that Gen. Claiborne had 
achieved an important victory upon the Alabama, 
more than one hundred miles above Fort Stoddart, 
his head quarters. The town ^vhere the battle was 
fought, was called Ecccmachaca, or IToIj/ Ground. 
It was the residence of Witherford, Francis, and 
Sinqidster^\)r\\\c\^^\ prophets. It was built since 
the commencement of hostilities as a place of secu» 
rity for the natives, and as a depot for provisions. 
Like Autonssc€y it was deemed the grave of white 
men. Upon the 23d December, it was attacked; 
betv.'cen thirty and forty warriors were slain ; the 
whole town, of 200 houses, destroyed, and an im- 
mense quantity of provisions taken. The town 
being surrounded by swamps and deep ravines, 
facilitated the escape of the savages from the pur- 
suit of the Americans. The next day, a town of 
sixty houses, about eight miles above the holy 
ground, was destroyed ; together with three dis- 
tinguished Indians, and all the Indians' boats. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 103 

Witherford, the Indian Prophet just mentioned, 
was the commander of the Indians, in their furious 
and murderous attack upon FortlMimms, at Tcn- 
saio settlement, in Missisippi. He narrowly escaped 
capture, and continued to fight with the rage of a 
fanatic, the fury of a d«mon, and the diabolical 
ferocity of a devil incarnate, until, saturated with 
the blood of Americans, and witnessing the almost 
total extinction of his own tribe, he voluntarily and 
dauntlessly, flung himself into the hands of Gen. 
Jackson, and demanded his protection. He will 
again be mentioned. 

While these interesting events were transpiring 
upon the Alabama, a newly organized corps were 
raising in Tennessee and Missisippi, to resort to 
the standard of Gen. Jackson, who were designed, 
with those who should follow them, to put an end 
to the most sanguinary war which savage ven- 
geance, aided by British gold, and Spanish perfidy, 
ever prosecuted. 

A gallant officer now commenced his military 
career, which was consummated at New-Orleans, 
by a crown of unfading laurels — Col. Carrol. 
He proceeded to Fort Strother upon the 2d Jan- 
uary, 1814, to concert measures with Gen. Jack- 
son. They were concerted and executed with a 
celerity which may well astonish the veteran mar- 
shals of Europe. 

It would be unpardonable in the author to at- 
tempt to detail them in his own language, since he 



104 MEMOIRS OF 

has it ill his power, to present the reader with the 
deeply interesting official report which follows. 

Maj. Gbn. JACKSON, of Tennessee Foliinteers, to 
Maj. Gen. PINCKNEY, of the U. S, Army, 

Head Quarters, Fort Strother, Jan. 29, 1814. 
Maj. Gen. Thomas Pinckmy, 

Sir — I had the honour of informing you in a let- 
ter of the 31st ult. [express] of an excursion I 
contemplated making still further in the enemy's 
country, with the new raised volunteers from Ten- 
nessee. I had ordered those troops to form a 
junction with me on the 10th inst. but they did 
not arrive until the 14th. Their number, including 
officers, was about 800, and on the iSth, I marched 
them across the river to graze their horses. On 
the next day I folJowed with the remainder of my 
force, consisting of the artillery company, with one 
six pounder, one company of infantry of 48 men, 
two companies of spies commanded by Capts. 
Gordon and Russell, of about 30 men each, and a 
company of volunteer officers, headed by Gen. 
Coffee, who had been abandoned by his men, and 
who still remained in the field awaiting the orders 
of the government ; making my force, exclusive of 
Indians, nine hundred and thirty. 

The motives which influenced me to penetrate 
still farther into the enemy's country, with this 
force, were many and urgent. The terms of ser- 
vice of the new raised volunteers was short, and a 



ANDREW JACKSON. 105 

considerable part of it was expired ; they were ex- 
pensive to the government ; and were full of ardour 
to meet the enemy. The ill effects of keeping 
soldiers of this description long stationary and idle, 
I had been made to feel but too sensibly already— 
other causes concurred to make such a movement 
not only justifiable, but absolutely necessary. I 
had received a letter from Capt. M'Alpin, of the 
5th inst. who commanded at Fort Armstrong in the 
absence of Col. Snodgrass, informing me that 14 
or J 5 towns of the enemy, situated on- the waters 
of the Tallapoosa, were about uniting their forces, 
and attacking that place, which had been left iu a 
very feeble state of defence. You had in your let- 
ter of the 24th ult. informed me that Gen Floyd 
was about to make a movement to the TaKapoosa, 
near its junction with the Coosa ; and in the same 
letter, had recommended temporary excursions 
against such of the enemy's towns, or settlements, 
as might be within striking distance, as well to 
prevent my men from becoming discontented, as 
to harass the enemy. Your ideas corresponded 
exactly with my own, and I was happy in the op- 
portunity of keeping my men engaged, distressing 
the enemy, and at the same time making a diver- 
vsion to facilitate the operations of Gen. Floyd. 

Determined by these and other considerations, I 
took up the line of march on the 17th inst. and on 
the 18tli, encamped at Talladega Fort, where I was 
joined by between 2 and 300 friendly Indians : G5 



105 MEMOIRS OP i 

of whom were Cherokees, the balance Creeks. 
Here I received your letter of the 9th inst. stating ; 
that Gen. Floyd was expected to make a movement , 
from Cowetau the next day, and that in 10 days i 
thereafter he would establish a firm position at \ 
Tuckbatchee ; and also a letter from Col. Snod- 
grass, who had returned to F.)rt Armstrong, infor- j 
ming me that an attack was intended to be soon j 
made on that Fort, by 900 of the enemy. If 1 1 
could have hesitated before, I could now hesitate : 
no lons^er. I resolved to lose no time in meeting j 
this force, which was understood to have been col- ; 
iectedfrom New Yorcau, Oakfuskie, and Ufauleyl 
towns, and were concentrated in a bend of the) 
Tallapoosa, near the mouth of a creek, called 
Eaauckfau, and on an island below New Yorcau. 

On the morning of the 20th your letter of the 
10th inst. forwarded by M'Candles, reached me at 
the Hillabee Creek ; and that night I encamped at 
Enotachopco, a small Hillabee village, about twelve 
miles from Emuckfau. Here I began to perceive 
very plainly how little knowledge my spies had of 
the country, of the situation of the enemy, or of 
the distance I was from them. The insubordina- 
tion of the new troops, and the want of skill in 
most of their officers, also became more and more 
apparent. But their ardour to meet the enemy 
was not diminished ; and 1 had sure reliance upon 
the guards, and upon the company of old volunteer 
officers, and upon the spies, in all about 125. My 



4NDREW JACKSON. 107 

wishes and my duty remained united, and I was 
determined to effect, if possible, the objects for 
which the excursion had been principally under- 
taken. 

On the morning of the 21st, I marched from Eno- 
tachopco, as direct as I could for the bend of the 
Tallapoosa, and about 2 o'clock, P M. my spies 
having discovered two of the enemy, endeavoured 
to overtake them, but failed. In the evening I fell 
in upon a large trail, which led to a new road, much 
beaten, and lately travelled. Knowing that I must 
have arrived within the neighbourhood of a strong 
force, and it being late in the day, I determined to 
encamp, and reconnoitre the country in the night. 
I chose the best scite the country would admit, en- 
camped in a hollow square, sent out my spies and 
pickets, doubled my sentinels, and made the neces- 
sary arrangements before dark, for a night attack. 
About 10 o'clock at night, one of the pickets fired 
at three of the enemy, and killed one, but he was 
not found until the next day. At eleven o'clock 
the spies whom I had sent out, returned with the 
information, that there was a large encampment of 
Indians at the distance of about three miles, who 
from their whooping and dancing, seemed to be ap- 
prized of our approach. One of these spies, an 
Indian in whom I had great confidence, assured me 
that they were carrying off their women and chil- 
dren, and that the warriors would either make their 
escape, or attack me before day. Being prepared 



103 MEMOIRS OF ; 

' i 

at all points, nothing remained to be done but to 
await their approach, if they meditated an attack, \ 
or to be in readiness, if they did not, to pursue and ; 
attack them at day light. While we were in this \ 
state of readiness, the enemy about six o'clock in 1 
the morning commenced a vigorous attack on ray ; 
left flank, which was vigorously met ; the action ] 
continued to rage on my left flank, and on the left I 
of my rear, for about half an hour. The brave j 
Gen. Coflee, with Col. Sitler, the Adjt. Gen. and ; 
Col. Carroll, the Inspector-General, the moment j 
the firing commenced, mounted their horses and • 
repaired to the line, encouraging and animating j 
the men to the performance of their duty. So soon 
as it became light enough to pursue, the left wing 
having sustained the heat of the action, and being 
somewhat weakened, was reinforced by Capt. Fer- 
rill's company of infantry, and was ordered and led 
on to the charge by Gen. Coffee, who was well 
supported by Col. Higgins and the Inspector-Gene- 
ral, and by all the officers and privates who com- 
posed that line. The enemy was completely rout- 
ed at every point, and the friendly Indians joining 
in the pursuit, they were chased about two miles 
with considerable slaughter. 

The chase being over, I immediately detached 
Gen. Coffee with 400 men, and all the Indian force, 
to burn their encampment ; but it was said by some 
to be fortified. I ordered him in that event, not 
to attack it until the artillery could be sent forward 



ANDREW JACKSON. 109 

to reduce it. On viewing the encampment and its 
strength, the general thought it most prudent to re- 
turn to my encampment, and guard the artillery 
thither. The wisdom of this step was soon discov- 
ered — in half an hour after his return to camp, a 
considerable force of the enemy made its apear- 
ance on my right flank, and commenced a brisk fire 
on a party of men, who had been on picket guard 
the night? before, and were then in search of the In- 
dians they had fired upon, some of whom they be- 
lieved had been killed. Gen. Coffee immediately 
requested me to let him take 200 men, and turn 
their left flank, which I accordingly ordered ; but, 
through some mistake, which I did not then observe, 
not more than 54 followed him, among whom were 
the old volunteer ofiicers. With these, however, he 
immediately commenced an attack on the left flank 
of the enemy ; at which time I ordered 200 of the 
friendly Indians, to fall in upon the right flank of 
the enemy, and co-operate with the general. This 
order was promptly obeyed, and on the moment of 
its execution, what I expected was realized. The 
e«emy had intended the attack on the right as a 
feint, and expecting to direct all my attention 
thither, meant to attack me again, and with their 
main force on the left flank, which they had hoped 
to find weakened and in disorder — they were dis- 
appointed. I had ordered the left flank to remain 
firm in its place, and the moment the alarm gun 

was heard in that quarter, I repaired thither, atxl 
iO 



J 10 MEMOIRS OF 

ordered Capt. Ferrill, part of my reserve, to sup- 
port it. The whole line met the approach of the 
enemy with astonishing intrepidity, and having 
given a few fires, they forthwith charged with great 
vigour — the effect was immediate and inevitable. 
The enemy fled with precipitation, and were pur- 
sued to a considerable distance, by the left flank 
and the friendly Indians, with a galling and des- 
tructive fire. Col Carroll, who ordered the charge, 
led on the pursuit, and Col. Higgins and his regi- 
ment again distinguished themselves. 

In the mean time, Gen. Coffee was contending 
with a superiour force of the enemy. The Indians 
who I had ordered to his support, and who had set 
out for this purpose, hearing the firing on the left, 
had returned to that quarter, and when the enemy 
were routed there, entered into the chase. That 
being now over, I forthwith ordered Jim. Fife, who 
was one of the principal commanders of the friend- 
ly Creeks, with 100 of his warriors, to execute my 
first order. So soon as he reached Gen. Coffee, the 
charge was made, and the enemy routed ; they 
were pursued about three miles, and 45 of them 
slain, who were found. Gen. Coffee was wounded 
in the body, and his aid- de-camp, A. Donaldson, 
killed, together with three others. Having brought 
in and buried the dead, and dressed the wounded, 
I ordered my camp to be fortified, to be the better 
prepared to repel any attack which might be made 
'Q the night, determined to make a return march 



ANDREW JACKSON* 111 

toFortStrpther the following day. Many causes 
concurred to make such a measure necessary, as I 
had not set out prepared, or with a view to make 
a permanent establishment. I considered it worse 
than useless to advance, and destroy an empty en- 
campment. I had, indeed, hoped to have met the 
enemy there, but having met and beaten them a 
little sooner, I. did not think it necessary or prudent 
to proceed any further — not necessary, because I 
had accomplished all I could expect to effect by 
marching to their encampment ; and because if it 
was proper to contend with and weaken their forces 
still farther, this object would be more certainly 
attained, by commencing a return, which having to 
them the appearance of a retreat, would inspirit 
them to pursue me. Not prudent^ — because of the 
number of my wounded ; of the reinforcements 
from below, which the enemy might be expected 
to receive ; of the starving condition of my horses, 
ihey having had neither corn nor cane for two days 
and nights ; of the scarcity of supplies for my men, 
the Indians who joined me at Talladega having 
drawn none, and being wholly destitute ; and be- 
cause if the enemy pursued me, as it was likely 
they would, the diversion in favour of Gen. Floyd 
would be the more complete and effectual. Influ- 
enced by these considerations, I commenced ray 
return march, at half after ten on the 23d, and wa?? 
fortunate enough to reach Enotachopco before night 
having passed without interruption, a dangerou' 



112 ' MEMOIRS OF 

defile occasioned by a hurricane. I again fortified 
my camp, and having another defile to pass in the 
morning, across a deep creek, and between two 
hills, which I had viewed with attention as 1 passed 
on, and where I expected I might be attacked, I de- 
termined to pass it at another point, and gave di- 
rections to my guide and fatigue men accordingly. 
My expectcition of an attack in the morning was 
hicreased by the signs of the night, and with it, my 
caution. Before I moved the wounded from the 
interior of my camp, I had my front and rear guards 
formed, as well as my right and left columns, and 
moved off my centre in regular order, leading down 
a handsome ridge to Enotachopco creek, at a point 
where it was clear of reed, except immediately on 
its margin. 1 had previously issued a general order, 
pointing out the manner in which the men should 
be formed in the event of an attack on the front 
or rear, or on the flanks, and had particularly cau-^ 
tioned the officers to halt and form accordingly, the 
instant the word should be given. 

The front guard had crossed with part of the , 
flank columns, the wounded were over, and the ar- 
tillery in the act of entering the creek, when an 
alarm gun was heard iu the rear. I heard it with- 
out surprise and even with pleasure, calculating 
with the utmost confidence on the firmness of my 
troops, from the manner in which I had seen them 
act on the 22d. I had placed Col. Carroll at the 
head of the centre column of the rear guard ; its 



ANDREW JACKSON. 113 

right column was commanded hy Col. Perkins, and 
its left by Col. Stump. Having chosen the ground, 
I expected there to have entirely cut off the enemy, 
by wheeling the right and left columns on their pi- 
vot, recrossing the creek above and below, and fall- 
ing in upon their flanks and rear. But to my aston 
ishment and mortification, when the word was given 
by Col. Carroll to halt and form, and a few guns 
had been fired, I beheld the right and left columns 
of the rear guard precipitately give way. This 
shameful retreat was disastrous in the extreme ; 
it drew along with it the greater part of the ceu- 
tre colum, leaving not more than 25 men, who be- 
ing formed by Col. Carroll, maintained their ground 
as long as it was possible to maintain it, and it 
brought consternation and confusion into the cen- 
tre of the army, a consternation which was not ea- 
sily removed, and a confusion which could not be 
soon restored to order. There was then left to re 
pulse the enemy, the few who remained of the rear 
guard, the artillery company, and Capt. Russell's 
company of spies. They however, realized, and 
exceeded my highest expectations. Lieut. Arm- 
strong, who commanded the artillery company in 
the absence of Capt. Deaderick, (confined by sick- 
ness,) ordered them to form and advance to the top 
of the hill, whilst he and a h\v others dragged up 
the six pounder. Never was more bravery displayed 
than on this occasion. Amidst the most galling fire 

from the enemy, more than ten times their num- 

10 ^ 



ii4i MEMOIRS. Ui 

her, they ascended the hill, and maintained their 
position until their piece was hauled up, when hav- 
ing levelled it, they poured upon the enemy a fire 
of grape, reloaded and fired again, charged and 
repulsed tbe:?i. 

The most deliberate bravery was displayed by 
Constantine Perkins and Craven Jackson, of the 
artillery, acting as gunners. In the hurry of the 
moment, in separating the gun from the limbers, 
the rammer and picker of the cannon was left tied 
to the limber. No sooner was this discovered, 
than Jackson, amidst the galling fire of the enemy, 
pulled out the ramrod of his musket and used it 
as a picker ; primed with a cartridge and fired the 
cannon. Perkins having pulled off his bayonet, 
used his nmsket as a rammer, drove down the car- 
tridge ; and Jackson using his former plan, again 
discharged her. The brave Lieut. Armstrong, just 
after the first fire of the cannon, with Capt. Ham- 
ilton of E. Tennessee, Bradford and M'Gavock, 
all fell, the Lieut, exclaiming as he lay, " mt/ brave 
fellows, some of 1/ou maT/ fall, but you must save the 
^annon.'^'' About this tiine, a number crossed the 
reek and entered into the chase. The brave 
1 -apt. Gordon of the spies, who rushed from the 
front, endeavoured to turn the flank of the enemy, 
"n which he partially succeeded, and Col. Carroll, 
CoL Higgins, and Capt. Elliot and Pipkins, pursu- 
ed the enemy for more than two miles, who lied in 
i.'onsternation, throwing away their packs? and lear- 



ANDREW JACKSON, 115 

ing 26 of their warriors dead on the field. This 
last defeat was decisive, and we were no more 
disturbed by their yells. I should do injustice to 
my feelings if I omitted to mention that the venera- 
ble Judge Cocke, at the age of G5, entered into 
engagement, continued the pursuit of the enemy 
with youthful ardour, and saved the life of a fellow 
soldier by killing his savage entagonist. 

Our loss in this affair was — killed and wounded, 
among the former was the brave Capt. Hamilton 
from E. Tennessee, who had with his aged father 
and two others of his company, after the period of 
his engagement had expired, volunteered his servi- 
ces for this excursion, and attached himself to the 
artillery company. No man ever fought more 
bravely, or fell more gloriously ; and by his side 
fell with equal bravery and glory, Bird Evans of 
the same company. Capt. Quarles, who command- 
ed the centre column of the rear g'uard, preferring 
death to the abandonment of his post, having ta- 
ken a firm stand in which he was followed by 25 of 
his men, received a wound in his head of which he 
has since died. 

In these several engagements, our loss was 20 
killed and 75 wouded, 4 of whom have since died. 
The loss of the enemy cannot be accurately ascer- 
tained ; 189 of their warriors were found dead ; 
but this must fall considerably short of the number 
really killed. Their wounded can only be guessed 
at. 



116 ^ MEMOIRS OF 

Had it not been for the unfortunate retreat of the 
rear guard in the affair of the 24!th inst. I think I 
could safely have said, that no army of militia ever 
acted with more cool and deliberate bravery : un- 
disciplined and inexperienced as they were, their 
conduct in the several engagements of the 22d, 
could not have been surpassed by regulars. No 
men ever met the approach of an enemy with more 
intrepidity, or repulsed them with more energy. 
On the 24)th, after the retreat of the rear guard, 
they seemed to have lost all their collectedness, and 
were more ditHcult to be restored to order, than 
any troops I had ever seen. But this was no doubt, 
owing in a great measure, or altogether, to that 
very retreat, and ought rather to be ascribed to the 
want of conduct in many of their officers, than any 
cowardice in the men, who on every occasion, have 
manifested a willingness to perform their duty, so 
far as they knew it. 

All the effects which were designed to be produ- 
ced by this excursion, it is believed have been pro- 
duced. If an attack was meditated against Fort 
Armstrong, that has been prevented. If Gen. 
Floyd is operating on the east side of the Tallapoo- 
sa, as I suppose him to be, a most fortunate di- 
version has been made in his favour. The number 
of the enemy has been diminished, and the confi- 
dence they may have derived from the delays I 
have been made to experience, has been destroyed. 
Discontent has been kept out of my army, while 



ANDHEW JACKSON. 117 

the troops who would have been exposed to it, have 
been beneficially employed. The enemy's coun- 
try has been explored, and a road cut to the point 
where their force will probably be concentrated, 
when they shall be driven from the country below. 
But in a report of this kind, and to you who will 
immediately perceive them, it is not necessary to 
slate the happy consequences which may be ex- 
pected to result from this excursion. Unless I am 
greatly mistaken, it will be found to have hastened 
the termination of the Creek war, more effectually 
than any measure I could have taken with the troops 
under my command. I am. Sir, with sentiments of 
high respect, Your Obedient servant, 

ANDREW JACKSON, Maj. Gen. 

When it is considered what troops Gen. Jackson 
had to command, and what enemies he had to fight, 
the tivo victories at Emuckfaw, on the 22d, and the 
signal one of Enotachopco^ on the 24jth, will bear 
a comparison with any in modern warfare. The 
liberal applause the general bestows upon the brave, 
and the excuse he finds for those whose '* retreat 
ought rather to he ascribed to the loant of conduct in 
many of their officers^ than to any cowardice in the 
vien,^^ must endear him forever to the soldier. 
The " venerable Judge Cocke,'* (who survived,) and 
« the brave Lieut, Armstrong,'" and Capts. Hamilton 
and Quarles, (who all fell,) are placed, by the gen 
erai's report, upon the rolls of fame* 



118 MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER IX. 

Gen. Jackson prepares for a new expedition — ^receives an account 
of the victory at Chatahouchee — adopts a new mode to obtain 
supplies — Army Contractors — Energetic measures — Great vic- 
tory at Tohopeka — Savage warfare— British and Spanish emis- 
saries. 

THE solicitude evinced by Gen. Jackson, in his 
report incorporated in the last chapter, for the 
safety, security, and success of Gen. Floyd, could 
not have escaped the attention of the reader. It 
must have been greatly diminished by the signal 
victories he therein so perspicuously describes ; 
but this did not indfice him to remit any of his cus- 
tomary vigilance, or to omit any measure necessary 
to secure the advantage he had gained. He had 
'' scotched the snake — not killed himy 

Gen. Jackson had now with him, his beloved 
associates, Brig. Gen. Coffee, Col. Dyer, Col. 
Carroll, Maj Reid, (his aid,) and many other ac- 
complishad and patriotic officers. The disaffected 
officers had either retired to that obscurity which 
was their only safety, or remained envious specta- 
tors of that excellence which they could, not reach, 
and detractors of those great men, whose gallant 
exploits they had not the courage to achieve. He 
had a band of new volunteers, who had suddenly 
become veterans, and familiarized with victory. 
But still his force was inadequate to the complete 
accomplishment of his primary object — the effectu- 



ANDREW JACKSON, 119 

al subjection of the Creeks. He knew that the 
government of the American Repiibh'c had invio- 
lably regarded all treaties made, and performed 
every stipulation entered into with them. He 
knew, and he lamented, the infatuation under 
which they acted, and regretted that a race of be- 
ings, possessing the most exalted courage, should 
become victims in subserving the cause of the 
British and Spanish monarchs. But his duty to 
his country was, with him, paramount to every 
other consideration ; and he was resolved, as long 
as the last glimmer of hope remained unextinguish- 
ed, not to despair of the commonwealth. 

After the victories of the 22d and 24tb, he and 
his officers, were incessantly engaged in disciplin- 
ing the forces with them, and incorporating into 
the little army, such recruits as arrived. These 
duties were entirely different, from those belonging 
to officers in the regular army, at a well appointed 
cantonment. There, the commanding and subor- 
dinate officers have specific duties to perform ; and 
the soldiers, so far from thinking of disobedience, 
or plotting mutinies, scarcely utter a complaint. 
Gen. Jackson had never yet commanded such a 
body of men, in such a situation. His subordinate 
officers had been his companions, and his volun- 
teers had been his fellow citizens. He had de- 
pended more upon the weight of his character, and 
his devotion to the service, than upon military 
authority, to accomplish what he had done. He 



1^ MEMOIRS OF 

had, in many instances, fpund that the most urgent 
entreaties, and the most energetic remonstrances, 
were ineffectual, and was now resolved to exercise 
the authority which was vested in him. 

While he was exerting every faculty which na- 
tive energy and military authority, enabled him to 
call into operation, to prepare for more imx)ortant 
measures, he was highly gratified at receiving the 
most favourable intelligence from the Georgia for- 
ces under Brig. Gen. Floyd. 

That officer was stationed, with his troops, at 
Camp Defiance, fifty miles west of Chatahouchee. 
Upon the 27th January, he was assailed very early, 
by a numerous horde of savages. The sentinels 
were suddenly driven in, and a most desperate 
attack was commenced upon the lines. Gen. Floyd 
thus describes the engagement. 

" The steady firmness and incessant fire of Capt. 
Thomas' artillery, and Capt. Adams' riflemen^ pre- 
served our front line : both of these suffered g^eatl3^ 
The enemy rushed within 30 yards of the artillery, 
and Capt. Broadnax, who commanded one of the 
picket guards, maintained his post with great brave- 
ry, until the enemy gained his rear, and then cut his 
way through them to the army. On this occasion, 
TimpoocMe Barnncl, a half breed, at the head of the 
UcA/c5, distinguished himself,and contributed to the 
retreat of the picket guard : the other friendly In- 
dians took refuge within our lines and remained in- 
active, with the expepiion of a few who joined our 



ANDREW JACKSON. 121 

ranks. So soon as it became light enough to dis- 
tinguish objects, I ordered Majors Watson's and 
Freeman's battalions, to wheel up at right angles, 
with Majors Booth's and Cleveland's battalions, 
(who formed the right wing, to prepare for the 
charge. Capt. Duke Hamilton's cavalry, (who 
had reached me but the day before,) was ordered 
to form in the rear of the right wing, to act as cir- 
cumstances should dictate. The order for the charge 
was promptly obeyed, and the enemy fled in every 
direction before the bayonet. The signal was 
given for the charge of the cavalry, who pursued, 
and sabred 15 of the enemy ; who left 37 dead on 
the field. From the efi'usion of blood, and the num- 
ber of head-dresses and war clubs found in various 
directions, their loss must have been considerable, 
independent of the wounded. 

I directed the friendly Indians, with Merri weth- 
er's and Ford's rifle companies, accompanied by 
Capt. Hamilton's troop, to pursue them through 
Callibee Swamp, where they were trailed by their 
blood, but succeeded in overtaking but one of their 
wounded. 

Col. Newnan received three balls in the com- 
mencement of the action, which deprived me of the 
services of that gallant and useful officer. The as- 
sistant Adjt. Gen. Narden, was indefatigable in the 
discharge of his duty, and rendered important ser- 
vices : his horse was wounded under him. The 

whole of the staff was prompt, and discharged their 
11 



123 MEMOIRS OF 

duty with courage and fidelity : their vigilance, the 
intrepidity of the officers, and the firmness of the 
men, meet my approbation, and deserve the praise 
of their country. I have to regret the death of 
many of my brave fellows, who have found honour- 
able graves in the voluntary support of their coun- 
try. 

My aid-de camp, in executing my orders, had his 
horse killed under him. Gen. Lee and Maj. Pace, 
who acted as additional aids, rendered me essential 
services, with honour to themselves, and usefulness 
to the cause in which they have embarked. Four 
waggon, and several other horses were killed, and 
two of the artillery horses wounded. While I de- 
plore the losses sustained on this occasion, I have 
the consolation to know, that the men who I have 
the honour to command, have done their duty." 

The loss of the Americans in this battle, was 
17 killed, and 132 wounded. Gen. Jackson found 
that one great object of his last brilliant expeditioD, 
was effected— the relief of the Georgia militia. 

It was now the first of February-, 1814. Gen. 
Jackson's forces were at Fort Strother, where, al 
though in no immediate danger of famine, there 
was by no means a supply for any length of time. 
Geri. Jackson, ever since he had commanded the 
array in the Creek country, had had his attention 
diverted from the great object of a general — the 
organization of his array — the introduction of cor- 
rect discipline, and preparation for active service. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 123 

Indeed, he had to perform the duty of Commis- 
sary, Quarter-master, and Commander. Wash- 
ington was often in his situation in the war of the 
Kevoiution. He could find an excuse for his coun- 
trymen, in the then destitute state of the country; 
but for the contractors for the southern army in 
18 14, there was no excuse. In a country abound- 
ing in beeves, swine, and bread stuffs, an army had 
often been driven to mutiny and desertion through 
the apprehension of want. There is, probably, not 
an officer in the American service, but who will con- 
demn the mode of supplying an army by contrac- 
tors. They make the best terms they can with 
the government for themselves ; the hardest pos- 
sible terms for the seller of provisions, and often 
furnish the war-worn veteran with rations deficient 
in quantity, and miserable in quality. They think 
of nothing but gaining a fortune, while the gallant 
soldiers who are suffering by their frauds, and fam- 
ishing by their avarice, are gaining victories for 
their country. 

Gen. Jackson, who may emphatically be called 
the vSoldier's Patron, had suffered too much, with 
his brave soldiers, for longer endurance. He sup- 
plied his army by his own agents, leaving the con- 
tractors to pay the expense. When no longer any 
cause existed for complaints in his camp, he silen- 
ced them. He caused a mutineer to be tried by a 
court martial *, and when condemned to die, he 
approved of the sentence, and he suffered death, 
lie ordered every officer to be arrested within his 



134 MEMOIRS OF 

command, who should be found exciting mutiny or 
disobedience. He knew that a crisis had arrived 
when a great blow must be struck, or the expedi- 
tion abandoned. 

The Creeks had assembled in very great force 
at the bend of the Tallapoosa, at a place called by 
the savages, Tohopeka — by the Americans, The 
Horse Shoe, At this place, the most desperate re- 
sistance was expected ; and every measure, within 
the limited means of Gen. Jackson, was resorted 
to, to meet it. 

The 39th Regiment U. S. infantry, under the 
command of " the intrepid and skilful Col. WilliamSy^ 
had been ordered to join the army under Gen. 
Jackson. It* did not exceed 600 men. By the 
middle of March, his whole force amounted to be- 
tween 3, and 4000. He then commenced his march. 
Upon the 21st, he established a fort at the mouth 
of Cedar Creek, and named it Fort Williams, Leav- 
ing a sufficient force to protect it, he renewed his 
march upon the 24th. Upon the 2rth, a day which 
will be remembered in the traditional annals of the 
brave, the infatuated, the blood-thirsty Creeks, un- 
til they become extinct, Gen. Jackson and his ar- 
my reached Tohopeka. The events of that day, are 
thus briefly detailed by the commander. 

Battle Ground^ bend of Tallapoosa, 2Sth March, 18 J4. 

Maj Gen. Pinckney : — 

Sir — I feel particularly happy in being able to 

communicate to you, the fortunate eventuation of 



ANDREW JACKSON. 125 

my expedition to the Tallapoosa. I reached the 
head, near the Emuckfau, called by the whites the 
Horse Shoe, about ten o'clock, on the forenoon of 
yesterday, where I found the strength of the neigh- 
bouring to\v us colleciid. Expect liig our approach, 
they had gathered in from Oakfuskie, Oakelioga, 
New Yorcau; Hillabees, the Fish Pond, and Eufau- 
lee towns, to the number, it ib said, of 1000. It is 
difficult to conceive a situation more eligible for 
defence than the one tuey had chosen, or one ren- 
dered more secure by tl.<e skill with which they 
had erected their breast work. It was from 5 to 8 
feet high, and extended across the point in such a 
direction, as that a force approaching it would be 
ex[>osed to a double fire, while they lay in perfect 
security behind. A cannon planted at one extre- 
mity could have raked it to no advantage. 

Determining to exterminate them, I detached 
Gen. Coffee with the mounted men, and nearly the 
whole of the Indian force, early on the morning of 
yesterday, to cross the river about two miles below 
their encampment, and to surround the bend in such 
a manner, as that none of them should escape by 
attempting to cross the river. With the infantry, 
I proceeded slowly and in order, along the point of 
[and which led to the front of their breast work ; 
having planted my cannon, one 6 and one 3 poun- 
der, on an eminence at the distance of 150 to 200 
yards from it, 1 opened a very brisk fire, playing 

upon the enemy with the muskets and rifles whene- 
11^ 



120 . MEMOIRS Oi" 

ver they shewed themselves beyond it. This wa§ 
kepi up with short interruptions for about 2 lioursy 
xvhen a part of the Indian force, and Capt. Russell's 
and Lieut. Bean's companies of spies, who had ac- 
companied Gen. Cofi'ee, crossed over in canoes to 
the extremity of the bend, and set fire to a few of 
the buildings which were there situated ; they then 
advanced with great gallantry towards the breast- 
work, and commenced a spirited lire upon tlie en- 
emy behind it. 

Finding that this force, notwithstanding the 
bravery they displayed, was wholly insufficient to 
dislodge them, and that Gen. Coffee had entirely 
secured the opposite bank of the river, I now deter- 
mined to take it by storm. The men by whom this 
was to be effected, had been waiting with impatience 
to receive the order, and hailed it with acclamation. 

The spirit which animated them, was a sure 
augury of the success which was to follow. The 
history of warfare, I think furnishes few instances 
of a more brilliant attack. The regulars led on by 
their intrepid and skilful commander, CoL Williams, 
and by the gallant Maj. Montgomery, soon gained 
possession of the works, in the midst of a most tre- 
mendous lire from behind them ; and the militia 
of the venerable Gen. Doherty's brigade, accompa- 
nied them in the charge with a vivacity and firm- 
ness which would have done honour to regulars. 
The enemy were completely routed. Five hundred 
and fifty-seven were left dead on the peninsulaj 



ANDREW JACKSON. 127 

and a great number were kilJed by the horsemen in 
attempting to cross the river : it is believed that 
not more than 20 have escaped. 

The fighting continued with some severity about 
5 hours, but we continued to destroy many of them 
who had concealed themselves under the banks of 
the river, until we were prevented bythcDight. 
This morning we killed 16 who had been concealed. 
We took about 250 prisoners, all women and chil- 
dren, except two or three. Our loss is 160 woun- 
ded, and 25 killed ; Maj. M'Intosh, (the Cowctau,) 
who joined my army with a part of his tribe, great- 
ly distinguished himself. When I get an hour's 
leisure, I will send you a more detailed account. 

According to my original purpose, I commenced 
my return march to Fort Williams to day, and 
shall, if I find sufficient supplies there, hasten to the 
Hickory Ground. The power of the Creeks is, 
I think, forever broken. 

I send you a hasty sketch, taken by the eye, of 

the situation on which the enemy were encamped, 

and of the manner in which I approached them, 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON, Maj. Gen, 
3Iaj, Gen. Pinckney. 

The loss of the Americans, added to the whole 
loss of the friendly Indians, was 54 killed, and 15G 
wounded. 

In communicating the result of this victory, with- 
out a parallel, to the War Department. Gen. Pinck^ 



12S MEMOIRS OF 

ney elegantly and impressively observes, — <* While 
the sigh of humanity will escape, for this profuse 
effusion of human blood, whicli results from the 
savage principle of our enemy, neither to give nor j 
accept quarter ; and while every American will 
deeply lament the loss of our meritorious fellow 
soldiers who have fallen in this contest, we have 
ample cause of gratitude to the giver of all victory, 
for thus continuing his protection to our women 
and children, who would otherwise be exposed to 
the indiscriminate havock of the tomahawk, and all 
the horrors of savage warfare.'* 

The aged soldier who has been familiarized 
through life with civilized warfare, can form but 
an imperfect idea of war, as carried on by savages. 
Those who have passed their lives in the tranquil 
scenes of civil life, are still more incompetent to 
form a conception of its horrors. We can read 
its history and weep; but were we to witness its 
tragical scenes, even tears would be stopped, by 
the ghastly and apalling forms, in which death is 
presented to the view of its victims. The writer has 
seen nothing of savage warfare, and but little of 
savage life in a state of peace ; but he can yet al- 
most realize its horrors from impressions, never to 
be eradicated, made upon his mind in the earliest 
stages of life. His venerated grandfather, Israel 
Putnam, " seam\l xiuth many a scar,'^^ by the knives 
and tomahawks of savages, as he was treading the 
last steps that carried him to his tomb, related to 



ANDREW JACH&ON. 129 

his listening grand-children, the tortures he had 
borne from savages, and his " hair-breadth ^capes'''* 
from savage death. His accomplished A id- de- 
camp, Gen. Humphreys, has left them upon the 
page of Biography.* 

The severity of Gen. Jackson with the Creeks, 
has been a subject of severe animadversion with 
many who sympathize with savages, but who can 
readily forget the indiscriminate slaughter at Ten- 
sail). Let such remember that at Fort Mimms, in 
that settlement, the unoffending citizen was con- 
sumed by fire — his beseeching wife and helpless 
children were, by the same tomahawk, in the same 
moment, inhumanly murdered. And to make them 
withdraw their ill-placed sympathy, let them re- 
member that the fate which there swallowed up 
the whole of the citizens, and the whole of their 
defenders, was declared to be the destiny of every 
American, within the reach of savage vengeance. 

Whatever injustice the Aborigines of America 
may have endured from Europeans in the early set- 
tlements of North America, they have no cause of 
complaint against the present generation of Anglo- 
Americans, who are citizens of the United States, 
nor against the government of the American Re- 
public. Mildness has marked the policy of indi- 
viduals in their intercourse with the natives, and 
lenity and justice has characterized every measure 
of the American administrations in regard to them, 

* Vide Humphreys' Life of Putnam, pages 67, 68, 69, 82, 



130 MEMOIRS OP 

from the commencement of the government under 
the sainted Washington, to this period. While 
the state has protected them in the enjoyment of 
their temporal rights, the church has, with unceas- 
ing exertions, endeavoured to convert them to 
Christianity. 

But every measure to introduce among them the^ 
arts of civilized life and the benign influence of 
Christianity, " to soothe the savage breast,'*^ has been 
thwarted by the poisonous influence of British and 
Spanish emissaries. Upon them, let a double por- 
tion of indignation be poured, as the guilty causes 
of the miseries inflicted by savas^es upon Ameri- 
cans, and of the almost total extinction of the In- 
dians by the arm of power. Indubitable testimony 
will support the assertion, that every Indian war 
in North America, from the Treaty of Peace in j 
1783, to this period, has been occasioned by for- i 
eign emissaries. Although the British govern- j 
ment was compelled to acknowledge the Indepen- ! 
dence of the American Repjiblic, it has always i 
endeavoured to check its rising greatness. They 
still hope to subjugate it to their dominion, by the '\ 
power of their navy upon the seaboard, and of j 
their savage allies upon the frontiers. It would ' 
be a handsome accession to the power of the *< le- i 
gitimate sovereigns" of Europe, to behold George ] 
III. or (IV.) wielding the sceptre of power over j 
North, and Ferdinand VII. over South America. I 



ANDREW JACKSON. 131 



CHAPTER X. 

Conclusion of the Creek War — Return of Gen. Jackson and Vol- 
unteers — their reception, and separation — Gen. Jackson is ap- 
pointed Brig. Gen. in U. S. army — also a Commissioner to treat 

with Creek Indians — concludes a treaty — Foreign emissaries 

Indian eloquence — Speech of Witherford — of Big Warrior of 

Tecumseh, and his death. 

HAYING accomplished the object of the expe- 
dition to the l^dlapoosa, by the victory at Toho- 
peka. Gen. Jackson returned with his army to Fort 
Williams, about the 1st of April. Incessant fa- 
tigue and arduous duty, had retarded the recovery 
of his health, and reduced him almost to a skele- 
ton ; but the animation he felt at having effected, 
in a few months, what, from every former prospect, 
would have been supposed to need the exertion of 
years, made him forget his debility ; and his mind 
arose in majesty, as his body was emaciated by toil. 
Proud of the title? " Conmiander of Tennessee Vol- 
tinteers" he rejoiced that they had retrieved the 
reputation they had recently tarnished, by mutiny 
and disaffection. <^ 

His object now was to form a junction with the 
forces of the state of Georgia, and either complete 
the extermination of the Creeks, or compel them to 
bury the tomahawk, and sue for peace. The Hil- 
labees, a clan of them, for reasons before mentToned, 
were the last to supplicate for mercy. The attack 



132 MEMOIRS OF 

made upon them on the 18th November, 1813, by 
Gen. White, when they were urgent to make peace 
with Gen. Jackson, rendered them desperate. — 
The remnants of all the tribes had assembled at 
Hothlewaleey in the Hickory Ground. Gen. Jackson, 
with his forces, went in pursuit of them. But 
despair had now succeeded to fury, and the savages 
dispersed. The general prosecuted his march to 
the Hickory Ground, and, on or about the 15th 
April, established a fort upon the Coosa^ near its 
confluence with the Tallapoosa, which was named 
Fort Jackson, This completed a line of posts 
through Tennessee, Georgia, and the Alabama 
Territory. 

The Georgia forces had formed a junction with 
the conquering general; and, upon the 20th April, 
Maj. Gen. Pinckney, commander in chief of Mili- 
tary Districts No. 6 and 7, arrived at Fort Jackson, 
and assumed the command of the whole forces in 
the Creek country. Gen. Pinckney invited Gen. 
Jackson to his head quarters, where a splendid en- 
tertainment had been prepared. This emaciated 
and vvar-worn veteran, with some of his principal 
officers, partook of it with the Commander in Chief. 
To reciprocate the civility, the Conqueror of the 
Creeks, invited the Commander to dine with him 
at his marquee the next day. The simple diet 
that had sustained him and his gallant associates for 
months, was the bill of fare. It called to mind gloo- 
my and proud recollections — the dish of rice, and 



ANDREW JACKSON. 133 

draught of whiskey, had supported them in times of 
peril — they were now enjoyed iu safety. 

Never, since the discovery of America, did an 
American officer leave the command of an array, to 
his superiour officer, under circumstances more au- 
spicious, than did Maj. Gen. Jackson, of Ten- 
nessee Volunteers, to Maj. Gen. Pinckncy of the 
U. S. army. He assumed the command of the 
troops, only to disband them. Their work was 
done, and well done. Gen. Jackson, for a number 
of weeks previous, had moved with his army, with 
the celerity of lightning, and like that, had pros- 
trated every thing that opposed them. He might 
have said with Cccsar, " Veni^ vidi, vicV — I came— 
I saw — I conquered ! 

The panic- struck savages, who had been led by 
the wild incantations of their prophets, and tlie 
more guilty encouragement of foreign emissaries, 
to spread devastation, havock, carnage, and deatli, 
among the unoffending American settlers, humbly 
prostrated themselves before their conquerors, and 
begged for that sparing mercy, wliich it had been 
enjoined upon them never to extend. 

Fearing to raise a hand against a white man, 

these infatuated demons of the forest, preyed upon 

each other ; and seemed to delight in bearing and 

inflicting tortures. The Creeks massjacred every 

one of their tribe who were known to have attacked 

Fort Mimms. 

Upon the 21st, the next day after Gen. Pinckney 
12 



134j memoirs of 

assumed the command, lie ordered the Tennessee 
troops to be marched home, and discharged ; retain- 
ing, however, sufficient to garrison the establish- 
ed posts. Gen. Jackson immediately took mea- 
sures to comply with the order. 

The following is Gen, Jackson's last communica- 
tion, as an officer in the military forces of Tennessee, 
Fort Williams^ Jpril 25^/?, at night. 

Sir — Gen. Pinckney joined me at Fort Jackson 
on the 20th. The enemy continuing to come in 
from every quarter, and it being now evident that 
the war was over, I received an order at 3 o'clock, 
P. M. on the 21st, to march my troops back to 
Fort Williams, and after having dispersed any bo- 
dies of the enemy who may have assembled on the 
Cahawba, or within striking distance, and provided 
for the maintainance of posts between Tennessee 
and Fort Jackson, to discharge the remainder. 
Within two hours after receiving this order, I was 
on the line of march ; and reached this place last 
evening, a distance of about sixty miles. 

To Brig. Gen. Doherty, I shall assign the duty 
of keeping up the posts, which form the line of 
communication between Tennessee and the conflu- 
ence of the Coosa and Tallapoosa, making the ne- 
cessary arrangements to enable him to do so. About 
400 of the E. Tennessee militia, will be left at this 
place, 250 at Fort Strother, and 75 at Fort Arm- 
strongand New Deposit. Old Deposit will be main 
tained by Gapt. Hammond's company of rangers^ 



ANDREW JACKSON. ]35 

To-morrow I detail 500 of the militia under the 
command of Brig. Gen. Johnson, to the Cahawba, 
with instructions to unite with me at Fort Deposit, 
after having dispersed any bodies of the enemy 
they may find there assembled. 

The commissioners who have been appointed to 
make a treaty witli the Creeks, need have nothing 
to do but assign them their proper limits. Those 
of the friendly party, who have associated with me, 
will be easily satisfied ; and those of the hostile 
party, they consider it a favour that their lives 
have been spared them, and will look upon any 
space that may be allowed them for their future 
settlement, as a bounteous donation. I have taken 
the liberty to point out what I think ought to be 
the future line of separation, with which I will 
hereafter make you acquainted. Tfihey should be 
established, none of the Creeks will be left on the 
west of the Coosa. 

Accompanying this, I send you a report made by 
the Adjutant General, of the killed and wounded, 
at the battle of Tohopeka, which was omitted to be 
sent by the former express. 

I have the honour to be, &c, 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

His Excellerwy Gov. W. Blount. 

At the expiration of a few days he commenced 
a return marcli to his home, after an absence of 
eight months. If the sense of obligation bears 



1^ MEMOIRS OF 

3ny proportion to the benefits received, it may well 
be concluded that the people of Tennessee and 
Missisippi, must have been deeply impressed with 
the obligations of gratitude to Gen. Jackson and 
his gallant Volunteers. For twenty years, the fron- 
tier settlers had Jived in a state of insecurity ; and 
since the eomtnencement of the second war be- 
tween tlie American Republic and the kingdom of 
Great Britain, in the most alarming apprehensions. 

Their danger was now removed, and their safety 
was secured. The spontaneous bursts of admira- 
tion and applause that were every where uttered, 
was more grateful to the feelings of Gen. Jackson, 
than all the studied encomiums that could be be- 
stowed. 

Upon reaching Camp Blount, at Fayetteville^ 
(Tenn.) tlie bond of union, which had been ce- 
mented by common danger, and common toils, be- 
tween the general and the volunteers, was dissolved. 
Having learned and discharged the duty of vete- 
ran soldiers, they now reverted back to industrious 
citizens ; ready, at no distant period, to follow 
their beJoved chief, to conquer a civilized, as they 
already had done, a barbarous foe. While tears of 
pungent grief were shed at the recollection of their 
brave associates, who were left to moulder in the 
graves of the wilderness, those of exquisite joy 
flowed at the safety of their fathers, and the securi- 
ty of their homes. 

Gen. Jackson, having very much exceeded the 



ANDREW JACKSON. J 37 

time for which he volunteered his service^ and hav'- 
accoraplished vastly more than the most sanguine 
expectations could have anticipated, was about to 
retire to the repose of private life, which his debil- 
itated state of health imperiously demanded. But 
the portentous clouds of war which were constant- 
ly augmenting upon the southern borders of the 
Republic, rendered his services, if possible, more 
necessary than they had already been. About the 
1st June, 1814, he was appointed Brigadier Gene- 
ral in the army of the United States, 

Before he was called upon to commence his mil- 
itary career in his new capacity, he was appointed 
a commissioner, to secure by negociaiion what he 
had already acquired by arms. 

To make a treaty, however, with Indians, can 
hardly be called negociaiion^ as it is considered 
among civilized powers. The law of nations, 
which requires " good faith" between the contrac 
ting parties, is a code not recognized by American 
savages. It is rather a contract of bargain and 
sale? with a penalty annexed for a breach of cove^ 
uant. Col. Hawkins, who was appointed Indian 
Agent by Gen. Washington, and who has been in 
the agency ever since, was associated with Gen. 
Jackson in this mission. 

By the American forces, a complete conquest 
had been made of the whole Creek country ; and 
this conquest had been occasioned by flagrant 

breaches of treaty, and outrageous violations of 

12=* 



138 JVlEMOmS OF 

humanity b}^ the Creeks. Had the American gov 
ernment felt the cupidity, or exercised the power 
which the Jarger kingdoms of Europe manifest 
towards the smaller ones, the Creeks must either 
have fled from their country, or been reduced to 
vassalage, and their country itself would have 
been annexed to the Republic. But its existence 
commenced upon the broad principles of national 
and individual justice, and in the progress of its 
government, it has never deviated from them. 

The object of Gen. Jackson and the other com- 
missioners, was not so much to obtain new territo- 
ry, as to secure the acknowledged territory of the 
Republic, from the future depredations of Indian 
hostility. Upon the 10th August, 1814, a Treaty 
was executed, which is before the public. It cut 
off the savages from all communication with the 
perpetual disturbers of our tranquillity, and secu- 
red to the government such privileges in their coun- 
try, as will hereafter place the frontiers out of dan- 
ger from the Creeks. 

It will be seen in the sequel what measures were 
adopted by the government and Gen. Jackson, to 
secure our country against other powerful tribes, 
who were incited by our arch and implacable ene- 
mies, to raise the tomahawk against our country- 
men, as they had already induced the unfortunate 
Creeks to do. 

Having often been obliged, from the nature of 
the subject, to allude to the unjustifiable and 



ANDREW JACKSON. J39 

reprehensible conduct, of British and Spanish 
emissaries, I am confident the reader will be 
gratified, in seeing the evidence furnished by the 
savages themselves. In presenting this evidence, 
I furnish at the same time specimens of Indian 
Eloquence, which have never been equalle(l, unless 
by the speech of Logaih as found in Jefferson's 
Notes on Virginia. The first I ofler, is the speech 
of the ferocious Witherford^ previously mentioned. 
His surrender to Gen. Jackson, reminds the histo- 
rian of Coriolanus and Aufidius — of Themiatocles 
and a tcrsian king. Magnanimity in each over- 
came vengeance. 

WITHERFORD's speech to general JACKSON. 

" I am in your power — do with me as you please. 
I am a soldier. I have done the white people all 
the harm I could ; I have fought them, and fought 
them bravely : If I had an army, I would yet fight, 
and contend to the last: but I have none ; my peo- 
ple are all gone. I can now do no more than weep 
over the misfortunes of my nation. Once I could 
animate my warriors to battle; but I cannot ani- 
mate the dead. My warriors can no longer hear 
my voice : their bones are at Talladega^ Tallus- 
hatches^ Emiickfmi^ and Tohopeka. I have not sur- 
rendered myself thoughtlessly. Whilst there were 
chances of success, I never left my post, nor sup- 
plicated peace. But my people are gone, and I 
now ask it for my nation, and for myself. On the 



14:0 MEMOIRS OP 

miseries and misfortunes brought upon ray country, 
I look back with deepest sorrow, and wish to avert 
still greater calamities. If 1 had been left to con- 
tend with the Georgia army, I would have raised 
my corn on one bank of the river, and fought them 
on the other ; but your people have destroyed my 
nation. You are a brave man — I rely upon your 
generosity. You will exact no terms of a conquer- 
ed people, but such as they should accede to : 
whatever they may be, it would now be madness 
and folly to oppose. If they are opposed, you 
shall find me amongst the sternest enforcers of 
obedience. Those who vvould still hold out, can 
be influenced only by a mean spirit of revenge ; 
and to this they mtist not, and shall not sacrifice 
the last remnant of their country. You have told 
us where we might go, and be safe. This is a good 
talk, and ray nation ought to listen to it. ' They 
shall listen to it." 

The second evidence, is the speech of*' The Big 
Warrior,''^ before Gen. Jackson, Col. Hawkins, &c. 
It is with all the pleasure of delight, that I incor- 
porate this eloquent appeal to the magnanimity of 
our government, into this work. While it eulogi- 
zes the memory of our immortal political saviour 
George Washington, it also places Mr. Madison, 
in the most exalted station — the protector of the 
weak. It also repels the many insinuations which 
have been made against the long tried and faithful 
Indian agent, Col. Hav/kins. It is but an ill requit- 



ANBREW JACKSON. 1^4*1 

a) for the long seclusioii in which the Agent has 
lived ; and the pacific and salutary policy which he 
has pursued in the Creek agency, to have it hintedy 
** that his agency had lasted too long to hope that he 
would steadily pursue that course ivhich the safety, 
and interest of the country required^ But such 
is the fate of public functionaries in our Republic. 
James Monroe, and Andrew Jackson, than whom, 
more devoted patriots were never enrolled upon 
the records of worth, have shared in public oblo- 
quy, as well as in public applause. Even this is 
not without its benefits. Jealousy is the shield of 
freedom, and results from the solicitude Americans 
feel for their sacred rights and liberties. These 
censures serve the same purpose in our Republic, 
as the dust that was, by order, cast by lictors upon 
the heads of the returning conquerors of the Ro- 
man Republic, when they were passing under tri- 
umphal arches. / 

BIG WARRIOR'S SPEECH 

TO THE AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS. 

" THE President, our father, advises us to hon- 
esty and fairness, and promises that justice shall be 
done ; I hope and trust it will be ! I made this 
war, which has proved so fatal to my country, that 
the treaty entered into, a long time ago, with father 
Washington, might not be broken. To his friend- 
ly arm I hold fast. I will never break that chain 
of friendship we made together, and which bound 
us to stand to the United States. He was a father 



I4i% MEMOIRS OP 

to the Muscoga people ; and not only to them, but 
to all the people beneath the sun. His talk I now 
hold in my hand. There sits the agent=* he sent 
among us. Never has he broken the treaty. He 
has lived with u's a long time. He has seen our 
children born, who now have children. By hU 
direction, cloth was wove, and clothes were made, 
and spread through our country ; but the Red 
Sticks came, and destroyed all — we hare none now. 
Hard is our situation, and you ought to consider it. 
I state what all the nation knows ; nothing will I 
keep secret. 

There is the Little Warrior, whom Col. Haw 
kvis knows. While we were giving satisfaction for 
the murders that had been committed, he proved a 
mischief-maker ; he went to the British on the lakes ; 
he came back, and brought a package to the fron- 
tiers, which increased the murders here. This 
conduct ha§ already made the war party to sufl'er 
greatly : but, although almost destroyed, they will 
not yet open their eyes, but art btijl led away by 
the British at Pcjisacola, Not so with us ; we 
were rational, and had our senses — we yet are so. 
In the war of the rcvolutionv our father beyond the 
waters, encouraged us to join him, and we did so. 
We had no sense then. The promises he made 
were never kept. We were young and foolish, and 
fought with him. The British can no more per- 
suade us to do wrong : they have deceived us once, 
and can deceive us no more. You are two great 
* Col. Hawkins. 



ANDREW JACKSON. i4S 

people. If you go to war, we will have no concern 
in it ; for we are not able to fight. We wish to 
be at peace with every nation. If they oifer me 
arms, I will say to them, You put rae in clanger, to 
war against a people born in our own land. They 
shall never force us into danger. You shall never 
sec that our chiefs are boys in council, who will be 
forced to do any thing. I talk thus, knowing that 
father Washington advised us never to interfere in 
wars. He told us that those in peace were the 
happiest people. He told us that if an enemy at- 
tacked him, he had warriors enough, and did not 
wish his red children to help him. If the British 
advise us to any thing, I will tell you — not hide 
it from you — If they say we must fight, I will tell 
them, No !" 

I now present the reader with a speech of one 
of the greatest warriors of any age, of any nation, 
or of any colour — Tecumseh. It was this Sachem 
and Prophet, who had been educated at an English 
seminary in Canada^ who first infused into the 
Creeks the murderous principles he had learned 
from English Christians. He returned to his own 
tribe, and prepared them for the crusade they were 
to make with their English "fathers" against Ameri- 
cans. Infatuated chief ! ! thy blood calls aloud from 
the ground for revenge against thy perfidious mis- 
leaders. The cowaniice of Proctor was as base as 
his perfidy. The simple eloquence of this child of 



14A MEMOIRS Of 

the forest, is the bitterest satire, and the most vin- i 
dictive judgment against the British nation. The ; 
Indians of the East, as well as of the West, form a | 
« paramount inquest," whose sentence will reverse ; 
the judgment of the House of Lords in favour of I 
Lord Hastings J and raise indignation at the eulo- j 
gies bestowed upon Sir George Prevost, { 

SPEECH OF TECUMSEH, | 

In the name of the Indian Chiefs and Warriors^ to i 
Maj, Gen, Proctor, as the representative of their \ 
Great Father^ the King, i 

Father — listen to your children ! You have ^ 
them now all before you. The war before* this, 
our British father gave the hatchet to his red chil- 
dren, when our old chiefs were alive. They are 
now dead. In that war, our father was thrown on 
his back by the Americans, and our father took 
them by the hand without our knowledge ;•)* and we 
are afraid that our father will do so again at this 
time. Summer before last, when I came forward 
with my red bsethren, and was ready to take up 
the hatchet in favour of our British father, we were 
told not to be in a hurry — that he had not yet de- 
termined to fight the Americans. 

Listen ! — When war was declared, our father 
stood up and gave us the tomahawk, and told us 
that he was now ready to strike the Americans ; 

* The revolutionary war. 

f The British made peace without any stipuktioa for their In= 
^dian alUes. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 145 

that he wanted our assistance ; and that he certain- 
ly would get us our lands back, which the Ameri- 
cans had taken from us. 

Listen ! — You told us at (hat time, to bring for- 
ward our families to this place, and we did so ; 
and you promised to take care of them, and that 
they should want for nothing, while the men would 
go and fight the enemy ; that we need not trouble 
ourselves about the enemy's garrisons ; that we 
knew nothing about them ; and that our father 
would attend to that part of the business. You 
also told your red children, that you would take 
good care of your garrison hefe, whicli made our 
hearts glad. 

Listen /-^When we were last to the rapids, it is 
true we gave you little assistance. It is hard to 
fight people who live like ground hogs.* 

IJsten Father ! — Our fleet has gone out — we 
know they have fought — we have heard the great 
guns, but know nothing of what has happened to 
our father with one arm.f Our ships have gone 
one way, and wc are very much astonished, to see 
our father tying up every thing and preparing to 
run away the other, without letting his red chil- 
dren know what his intentions are. You always told 
us to remain here and to take care of our lands — it 
made onr hearts glad to hear that was your wish, 

* During the siege of Fort Meigs, the troops covered them- 
selves from the enemy's fire, by throwing up traverses and ditch- 
es of earth. 

f Commodore Barclay, 
13 



146 MEMOIRS OP 

Our great father, the King, is the head, and you re- 
present him. You always told us, you would never 
draw your foot off British ground ; but now, father, 
we see you are drawing back, and we are sorry to 
see our father doing so, without seeing the enemy. 
We must compare our father's conduct to a fat an- 
imal that carries its tail upon its back, but when 
affrighted, it drops it between its legs, and runs off. 

Listen Father I^-The Americans have not yet 
defeated us by land ; neither are we sure that they 
have done so by water : we there/ore wish to remain 
here and fight our enemy^ should they make their 
appearance. If they defeat us, we w'lWthen retreat 
with our father. 

At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Ameri- 
cans certainly defeated us ; and when we retreated 
to our father's* fort at that place? the gates were 
shut against us. We were afraid that it would now 
be the case, but instead of that, we see our British 
father preparing to march out of his garrison. 

Father! — You have got the arms and ammuni- 
tion which the great father sent for his red children. 
If you have any idea of going away, give them to 
us, and you may go, and welcome, for us. Our 
lives are in the hands of the Great Spirit — we are 
determined to defend our lands, and if it is his will, 
we wish to leave our bones upon them. 

Amherstburgh, 18th Sept, 1813. 

• Fort Miami, near Wayne's battle ground. 



ANDREW JACKSON. I'^f 

I present the reader with Maj. Thomas Rowland's 
T(of the 27th U. S. infantry,) account of the death 
of this great chief — « Tzcumseh is certainly kil- 
led — I saw him with my own eyes — it was the first 
time I had seen this celebrated chief There was 
something so majestic, so dignified, and yet so mild 
in his countenance, as he lay stretched on his back, 
on the ground where a few minutes before he had 
rallied his men to the fight, that while gazing on 
him with admiration and pity, I forgot he was a 
savage. He had received a wound in the arm, and 
had it bound up before he received the mortal 
wound. He had such a countenance as I shall 
never forget," 

Major Rowland might have exclaimed, over the 
corpse of Tecumseh, as Henry "V. did over that of 
Per CI/ — - 

" Lie tliere great heart — the earth that bears thee dead, ^ ' 
"Bears not afive so stout. »♦*»**» 



148 MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER XI. 

Spanish aggressions and pei-fidy— Gen. Jackson's measufes t® de„ 
tect Manrequez, the Govemour of Florida— his letter to him— 
Danger of the 7th MiUtary district — Gen. Jackson's appeal to 
the government — Mr. Monroe's measures of defence — Attack 
upon Fort Bowyer— gallant defence of Major Lawrence — ^his 
official report of it. 

THE writer has attempted to shew the reader, 
the prominent features of Gen. Jackson's life, from 
his birth to the conclusion of the Creek war. It is 
but a miniature, and if the figure is not finely touch- 
ed, the delineations are confidently pronounced, 
correct. To crowd a biogaphical sketch with mi- 
nute details of events, in which the subject of it 
has acted a conspicuous part, may swell a volume 
with a wilderness of ** tyorcf^, words ^ luords,^^ and 
hide the hero of it, in the rubbish that entangles 
him. I certainly have a wish, (it may be an una- 
vailing one,) to keep Andrew Jackson in sights 
through this little volume ; and although the deep- 
ly interesting scenes, in which he was the principal 
actor, must necessarily be adverted to, it is hoped 
the attention of the reader will not be diverted 
from the subject of these memoirs, by blending 
with his life, those descriptions which more proper- 
ly belong to the voluminous historian, than to the 
brief biographer. 

Gen. Jackson, having conquered the most war- 
like tribe of savages within, and perhaps, without 



ANDREW JACKSON. 149 

the Republic, by the sword, and having secured to 
his government the benefit of the conquest by trea- 
ty, he was led, not into regular negociation, but 
into singular intercourse with a power that calls it- 
self c/rJiVe^e-fi / 

It is painful to see a nation, which once held an 
elevated rank among European powers, sunk to 
the lowest state of degradation. Spain, in the 
reign of Philip, menaced, by its armada, the same 
BritisTi power, which has recently dragged its ira- 
becile, but tyrannical monarch from the humblest 
exile, and placed him upon the Spanish throne. 
Struggling to regain the power of his pre^clecessors, 
and trembling under the rod of his imperious mis- 
tress, he lends all his little aid in Europe and 
America, to subserve the interest of the British 
government. Knowing that the '* holy alliance'' 
entered into in 1814, by the " Allied Sovereigns,'* 
guarantees to each other their ancient colonies, 
Ferdinand Vll. covertly gave every aid and facili- 
ty to the British forces, in their last war against the 
American Republic, once British colonies. This, 
Gen. Jackson full well knew during the prosecu- 
tion, and at the close of the Creek war. He knew 
that the governour of the Spanish province of Flo- 
rida, although Spain was in a state of professed 
neutrality, either through fear of Britain, or hatred 
to America, had given every assistance to the In- 
dians in their sanguinary war against our frontier'^, 
13^ 



150 iJEMOlRS OF 

The peace he had conquered from the Creeks^ 
he was aware would not be a permanent one, nor 
the treaty lie had made regarded, so long as their 
hostile chiefs and warriors, were fostered, protected, 
and encouraged to further hostilities, by the gover- 
nour of Florida, acting under his « adored master," 
Ferdinand YII. He was determined, if possible, 
to secure to his country the benefit of the victories 
which he had acquired, by the loss of some of his 
valiant countrymen, and by the death of hundreds 
of Creeks, who fell victims to religious fanaticism, 
and British and Spanish machinations. 

Gen. Jackson, is too cautious as a statesman, and 
too generous as a soldier, to trust to vague reports, 
and unsupported assertions, as grounds of impor- 
tant measures. While making a treaty with the 
Creeks, he dispatched some of his confidential offi- 
cers to Pensacola^ to observe the course pursued 
by Gonzalez Manreguezy the Spanish governour. 
From the Creeks also, he was receiving almost 
daily information of the perfidious conduct of this 
obsequious minister of the faithless Ferdinand. 

Upon the return of his officers, tiiat which was 
before believed upon the strongest presumptive 
evidence, was now reduced to absolute certainty. 

Gen. Jackson, at this time, (Sept. 1814;,) had 
received no instructions from the War Department, 
relative to the course to be pursued with the Span- 
ish authorities in Florida. He sent a direct mes- 
sage to Gov.- Manrequez, requesting him to point 



ANDREW JACKSON. 15 1 

out the course he was about to pursue. The cor- 
respondence that followed betMeen him and Gen. 
Jackson, has long been before the public, and is 
too lengthy to be here inserted. The governour 
was less equivocal, and more explicit than he had 
previously been. He began to feel a strong assu- 
rance that the British government, which had res- 
tored his master to the throne, would support hiiu 
in all his measures against the Republic. He knew 
that the legitimate sovereigns of Europe were safe- 
ly enthroned, and that pride as well as interest, 
would induce them to secure to Ferdinand VII. 
his South American colonies, and to endeavour to 
regain for George III. the colonies he had lost in 
North. His language was confident, not to say 
imperious. He repelled the charges against Aiw, 
by criminating the American government. The 
correspondence was closed by the following letter 
to him, from Gen. Jackson. 

^' Were I clothed" says the general, " with diplo- 
matic powers, for the purpose of discussing the to- 
pics embraced in the wide range of injuries of which 
you complain, and which have long since been ad- 
justed, I could easily demonstrate that the United 
States have been always faithful to their treaties ; 
steadfast in their frindships ; nor have ever claim- 
ed any thing that was not warranted by justice. 
They have endured many insults from the govern- 
ours and other officers of Spain, which if sanction- 
ed by their sovereign, amounted to acts of war, 



152 MEMOIRS OF 

without any previous declaration on the subject. 
They have excited the savages to war, and afforded 
them the means of waging it. The property of our 
citizens has been captured at sea, and if compensa- 
tion has not been refused, it has at least been 
withheld. But as no such powers have been dele- 
gated to me, I shall not assume them, but leave 
them to the representatives of our respective gov- 
ernments. 

I have the honour of being entrusted with the 
command of this district. Charged with its pro- 
tection, and the safety of its citizens, I feel my 
ability to discharge the task, and trust your excel- 
lency will always find me ready and willing to go 
forward, in the performance of that duty, whenever 
circumstances shall render it necessary. I agree 
with you, perfectly, that candour and polite lan- 
guage should, at all times, characterize the com- 
munications between the officers of friendly sove- 
reignties ; and I assert, without the fear of con- 
tradiction, that my former letters were couched in 
terms the most respectful and unexceptionable. I 
only requested.^ and did not damand, as you asser- 
ted, the ring leaders of the Creek confederacy, who 
had taken refuge in your town, and who had viola- 
ted all laws, moral, civil, and divine. This I had a 
right to do, from the treaty which I sent you, and 
which I now again enclose, with a request that yon 
will change your translation ; believing, as I do, 
that your former one was wrong, and has deceiv 
ed you. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 158 

What kind of an answer you returned, a reference 
to your letter will explain. The whole of it breath- 
ed nothing but hostility, grounded upon assumed 
facts, and false charges, and entirely evading the 
inquiries that had been made. 

I can but express my astonishment at your pro- 
test against the cession on tlie Alabama, lying 
within the acknowledged jurisdiction of the United 
States, and which has been ratified, in due form, 
by the principal chiefs and warriors of the nation. 
But my astonishment subsides, when, on comparing 
it, I find it upon a par with the rest of your letter 
and conduct ; taken together, they afford a suffi- 
cient justification for any consequences that may 
ensue. My government will protect every inch of 
her territory, her eitizens, and her property, from 
insult and depredation, regardless of tlie political 
revolutions of Europe : and altliough she has been 
at all times sedulous to preserve a good understand- 
ing with all the world, yet she has sacred rights, 
that cannot bo trampled upon with impunity. 
Spain had better look to her own intestine commo- 
tions, before she walks forth in that majesty of 
strength and power, which you threaten to draw 
down upon the United States. Your excellency 
has been candid enough to admit your having sup- 
plied the Indians with arms. In addition to this, 
I have learned that a British flag has been seen 
flying on one of your forts. All this is done whilst 
you are pretending to be neutraL 



154 MEMOIRS OF 

] 

You cannot be surprised, then, but qu the con- j 
trary will provide a fort in your town, for my sol^ I 
diers and Indians, should I take it in my head to i 
pay you a visit. 

In future, I beg you to withhold your insulting i 
charges against my governraeut, for one more in- 
clined to listen to slander than I am ; nor consider ^ 
me any more as a diplomatic character, unless so | 
proclaimed to you from the mouths of my cannon." ! 

It is with the highest pleasure I incorporate the j 
foregoing letter into these memoirs ; and the reader i 
will feel an exultation at knowing, that we have j 
not only one, but many generals in the army of ' 
the Republic, who unite the Statesman and the 
S(.ldier. Although Gen. Jackson, at the time he j 
wrote it, was not clothed with diplomatic powers, -; 
he shews, in a few paragraphs, that he perfectly j 
understands the points in controversy between the ; 
imbecile, yet haughty government of Spain, and \ 
the American Republic. Had he been a negocia- i 
tor ten ijears ago, it would probably not noio be ' 
said that America has been thirteen t/ ears in trying] 
to settle our differences with Spain, and that she i 
may from thence infer that we shall continue to be 
very moderate, in bringing the controversy to an 
amicable adjustment. The divine dictate that re- 
quires men to '* render good for evili^ has not yet 
been added to the code of th€ Law of Nations ; and 
if our Republic is disposed to act upon that princi- 
ple with the allied sovereigns of Europe, every one 



ANDREW JACKSON. 155 

of whom arc anxious to destroy it, we may as well 
surrender our independence at once, and revert 
back to a tame, and submissive colonial state. 

Gen. Jackson was now commander in chief of 
the 7th military district, including the most impor- 
tant part of the southern section of the union. It 
was now altogether the most endangered part of it. 
The splendid victories at Chippewa^ Bridgwater, 
Fort Erie, and Flattsburgh, had allayed all appre- 
hension from British armies in the north. The de- 
fence of New London and Stonington, New York 
and Baltimore^ had robbed British " naval demon- 
strations" of their terrors, upon the eastern sea- 
board. The British admirals and British generals, 
were concentrating their forces, with a determina- 
tion to wipe ofi' the disgrace, which had with jus- 
t»ice been attached to them—not so much from the 
defeats they had suffered, as from the Vandalism 
they had displayed in the Chesapeake Bay, upon 
the Niagara frontier, and at the city of Washing- 
ton. The utmost confidence was expressed by the 
British in America, of the success of this great and 
united effort of the armies and navies of Britain ; 
and a British commissioner at Ghent, who at this 
time was negociating a peace with American com- 
missioners, tauntingly remarked, that before they 
had time to conclude a peace, New Orleans and 
the states upon the Missisippi, would be in posses- 
sion of Sir Edward Packenham ! 



156 MEMOIRS OF 

It is no more than candid to admit, that very ae- ; 
rious apprehensions were entertained by Americans j 
themselves, in regard to the safety of the south- \ 
ern section of the union, or that part of it situated \ 
upon the Gulf of Mexico, and near the mouth of | 
the Missisippi. A very great proportion of the | 
troops of the Republic and of the munitions of war, \ 
were in the northern, eastern, and middle states, at \ 
an immense distance from New Orleans. The 
whole sea-board, from Castine to that place, was I 
commanded by a superiour naval force of the ene- ] 
my, who could by that command, in a very short 
time approach any *' assailable point'' upon the j 
ocean. Sir George Prevost's army of 14,000, were, 
in Lower Canada, burning to revenge the defeat j 
they met v?ith at Plattsburgh. Large reinforcements ' 
were known to have arrived from England in the 
West Indies, under command of some of the most 
renowned generals in Wellington's army, and every 
indication evinced the determination of the whole 
land and naval forces of the enemy, upon the 
American station, to make a descent near the 
mouth of the Missisippi. 

Many British officers had already arrived at 
Pensacola, about 70 miles east of Mobile bay, on 
which Fort Bowyer is situated. Here they were 
received with great cordiality by the governour, and 
suffered to embody and train savages. Gen. Jack- 
son, about the first of September, addressed the 
War Department in the most pressing terms* In 



ANDREW JACKSON. J 57 

one of his letters, he says — *' How long will the 
United States pocket the reproach and open in- 
sults of Spain ? It is alone by a manly and digni- 
fied course, that we can secure respect from other 
nations, and peace to our own. Temporizing pol- 
icy is not only a disgrace, but a curse to any na- 
tion. It is a fact, that a British captain of marines 
is, and has been, for some time, engaged in drilling 
and organizing the fugitive Creeks, under the eye 
of the governour ; endeavouring, by his influence 
and presents, to draw to his standard, as well the 
peaceable, as the hostile Indians. If permission 
had been given me to march against this place, 
(Pensacoia,) twenty day ago, I would ere this, 
have planted there the American Eagle ; now 
wc must trust alone to our valour, and the justice 
of our cause. But my present resourses are so lim- 
ited — a sickly climate, as well as an enemy to con- 
tend with, and without the means of transporta- 
tion, to change the position of my army, that, 
resting on the bravery of my little phalanx, I can 
only hope for success." 

The Secretary at War, Mr. Monroe, incessantly 
exerted himself to second the measures of Gen. 
Jackson. Having acquired Louisiana, and the ex- 
elusive command of the Missisippi by negociation, 
Jie was now called upon to defend it as the head of 
the War Department. As there was, within the 
7th military district, but a very small amount of 

regular troops, the Secretary made a requisition 
14 



J58 MEMOIRS Oi* 

upon the executives of the stales of Louisiana, Mis- 
sisippi, and Tennessee, to have their full quota of 
militia in readiness for immediate service, at the 
command of Gen. Jackson. Volunteers were again 
invited hy Gen. Jackson to resort to his standard* 
under which they had always conquered. The 
whole civilized region of the Missisippi, was " wide 
awake." The unbounded popularity of Gen. Jack- 
son induced the militia not only with promptness^, 
but with animation, to repair to the rendezvous; 
and the *' Tennessee Volunteers" under their 
gallant, accomplished, and beloved leader, Gen. 
Cofi'ee were again in motion. They had almost in- 
variably formed the van of Gen. Jackson's army ; 
and of their immediate commander, it may be said, 
" he dared to lead where any dared to follow." 

Gen. Jackson, before the middle of September, 
had established his head quarters at Mobile, wait- 
ing the arrival of the militia and volunteers, some 
of whom had to travel more tlian 450 miles. Upon 
the I4th he received a message from Maj. IVii- 
Ham Lawrence, commander of Fort Bowyer at the 
mouth of Mobile bay, rec|ue.sting immediate assis- 
tance in the defence of that important post, as the 
enemy had landed in the vicinity of that place, 
with a force probably ten times the amount of his 
own. Maj. Lawrence had but 158 men fit for duty- 
He took immediate measures to succour this ex- 
posed garrison ; but before reinforcements could 
reach that place, it was simultaneously attacked 



ANDREW JACKSON. 159 

upon the ISth, by the British and Indian forces, 
by land, and by a large naval force in ihe bay. 
The defence of this place is described in the finish- 
ed style of Gen. Jackson, and Maj. Lawrence. 

GEN. JACKSON, TO HON. JAMES MONROE. 
H. Q. 7th Military District, Mobile, Sept. 17th, 1814. 

Sir — ^yith lively emotions of satisfaction, I 
communicate that success has crowned the gallant 
efforts of our brave soldiers, in resisting and repul- 
sing a combined British naval and land force, which 
on the 15th instant, attacked Fort Bowyer, on the 
Point of Mobile. 

I enclose a copy of the official report of Maj. 
Wm. Lawrence, of the 2d infantry, who comman- 
ded. In addition to the particulars communicated 
in his letter, I have learned that the ship which was 
destroyed, was the Hermes, of from 24 to 28 guns, 
captain, the Hon. Wm. H. Percy, senior officer 
in the Gulf of Mexico -, and the brig so consider- 
ably damaged, is the Sophie, 18 guns, Capt. Wm. 
Lockyer, the other ship was the Carron, of from 
Si to 28 guns, Capt. Spencer, son of Earl Spen- 
cer ; the other brig's name unknown. On board 
of the Carron, 85 men were killed and wounded ; 
among whom was Col. Nicholl, of the Royal Ma- 
rines, who lost an eye by a splinter. The land 
force consisted of 110 marines, and 200 Creek 
Indians, under the command of Capt. Woodbine, 



iCO MEMOIRS OF 

of marines, and about 20 artillerists, with one four 
and an half inch howitzer, from which they dis- 
charged shells and nine pound shot. They re-ein- 
barked the piece, and retreated by land towards 
Pensacola, whence they came. 

By the morning report of the J 6th, there were 
present in the fort, fit for duty, officers and men, 
158. The result of this engagement has stamped a 
character on the war in this quarter, highly favour- 
able to the American arms ; it is an event from 
which may be drawn the most favourable augury 

An achievement so glorious in itself, and so im- 
portant in its consequences, should be appreciated 
by the government ; and those concerned are en- 
titled to, and will, doubtless, receive the most grat- 
ifying evidence of the approbation of their coun- 
trymen. 

In the words of Maj. Lawrence, " where all be- 
haved well, it is unnecessary to discriminate." But 
all being meritorious, I beg leave to annex the 
names of the officers, who were engaged and pre- 
sent ; and hope they will, individuallj, be deem- 
ed worthy of distinction. 

Maj. Wm. Lawrence, 2d infantry, commanding ; 
Capt. Walsh of the artillery ; Capts. Chamberlain, 
Brownlow, and Bradley of the 2d infantry ; Capts. 
Sands, deputy-commissary of Ordnance ; Lieuts. 
Villard, Sturges, Conway, H. Sanders, T. R. San- 
ders, Brooks, Davis, and C. Sanders, all of the 2d 
infantry. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 161 

I am confident that your own feelings will lead 
you to participate in my wishes on this subject. 
Permit me to suggest the propriety and justice of 
allowing to this gallant band, the value of the 
vessel destroyed by them. I remain, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON, Brig, Gen. Com. 

The Hon. Secretary of War. 

The following is " the official report of Maj. Wil- 
liam Lawrence," alluded to \y Gen. Jackson, \\\ 
his letter to the Secretary of War. 

MAJ. LAWREilCE TO GEN. JACKSON. 
Fort Bo-wyer, Sept. 15th, 1814, 12 o'clock at nighto 

Sir — After writing the enclosed, I was prevented 
by the approach of the enemy, from sending it by 
an express. At meridian they were under full sail, 
with an easy and favourable breeze, standing di- 
rectly for the fort, and at 4 P. M. we opened our 
battery, which was returned from two ships, and 
two brigs, as they approached. The action be- 
came general at about 20 minutes past 4, and was 
continued without intermission on either side un- 
til 7, when one ship and two brigs were compelled 
to retire. The leading ship, supposed to be the 
Commodore, mounting twenty- two 32 pound car 
ronades, having anchored nearest our battery, was 
so much disabled, her cable being cut by our shot, 

that she drifted on shore, within GOO yards of the 

14 # 



m2 MEMOIRS OF 

battery, and tlie other vessels liaving got out of our 
reach, we kept such a tremendous lire upon her, 
that she was set on fire, and abandoned by the few 
of the crew who survived. At 10 P. M. we had 
the pleasure of witnessing the explosion of her mag- 
azine. The loss of lives on board must have been 
immense, as we are certain no boats left her ex- 
cept three, which had previously gone to her as- 
sistance, and one of these I believe was sunk ; in 
fact one of her boats was burned along side of her. 

The brig that followed her, I am certain was 
much damaged both in hull and rigging. The oth- 
er two did not approach near enough to be much 
injured, but I am confident they did not escape, as 
a well directed fire was kept on them during the 
whole time. 

During the action, a battery of a 12 pounder and 
a howitzer, was opened on our rear, but without 
doing any execution, and was silcHced by a few 
shot. Our loss is four privates killed, and five 
privates wounded. 

Towards the close of the action the flag-staff 
was shot away ; but the flag was immediately 
hoisted on a sponge staff over the parapet. While 
the flag was down, the enemy kept up their most 
incessant and tremendous fire ; the men were with- 
drawn from the curtains and north east bastion, as 
the enemy's own shot completely protected our 
rear, except the position they had chosen for their 
battery. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 1G3 

Where all behaved well, it is unnecessary to dis- 
criminate. Suflice it to say, every officer and man 
did liis duty ; the whole behaved with that cool- 
ness and intrepidity which is characteristic of the 
true American, and which could scarcely have been 
expected from men, most of whom had never seen 
an enemy, and were now for the first time, expo- 
sed for nearly three hours, to a force of nearly or 
quite, four guns to one. 

We fired during the action between 4 and 500 
guns, most of them double shotted, and after the 
first half hour but few missed effect. 

September 16th, 11 o'clock A. M. 

Upon an examination of our battery this mor- 
ning, we find upwards of 300 shot and shot holes, 
in the inside of the north and east curtains, and 
north-east bastions, of all calibres, from musket ball 
to 32 pound shot. In the north-east bastion, there 
were three guns dismounted ; one of which a four 
pounder, was broken off near the trunnions by a 
32 pound shot, and another much battered. I re- 
gret to say that both the 34 pounders are cracked ia 
such a manner as to render them unfit for service. 

I am informed by two deserters from the land 
force, who have just arrived here, and whom 1 send 
for your disposal, that a reinforcement is expected, 
when they will doubtless endeavour to wipe off the 
stain of yesterday. 

If you will send the Amelia down, we may pro- 
bably save most or all of the ship's guns, as her 
wreck is lying in six or seven feet water, and some 



IG4 MEMOIRS OF 

of them are just covered. They will not, however, 
answer for the fort, as they arc too short. 

By the deserters, we learn that the ship we have 
destroyed, was the Hermes, but her commander's 
name they did uot recollect. It was the Commo- 
dore, and he doubtless fell on his quarter-deck, as 
we had a raking fire upon it, at about two hundred 
yards distance, for some time. 

To Capt. Sands, who will have the honour of 
handing you this dispatch, I refer you for a more 
particular account of the movements of the enemy 
than may be contained in ray letters ; his services 
both before and during the action, were of great 
importance, and I consider fully justify me in hav- 
ing detained him. Capt. Walsh and several men 
were much burned in the accidental explosion of 
two or three cartridges. They are not included in 
the list of the wounded heretofore given. 

The enemy's fleet this morning at daybreak, 
were at anchor in the channel, about 4 miles from 
the fort ; shortly after, it got under weigh and stood 
to sea ; after passing the bar, they hove too, and 
boats have been constantly passing between the 
disabled brig and the others. I presume the for- 
mer is so much injured as to render it necessary to 
lighten her. 

Fifteen minutes after 1, P. M. 

The whole fleet have this moment made sail, and 
are standing to sea. I have the honour to be, &c. 

WILLIAM LAWRENCE.' 
Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson, &c. 



ANDREW JACKSON. J 65 

When it is considered that this fort was in a very 
incomplete state, having been almost totally aban- 
^onfcd, until Gen. Jackson had recently discovered 
its importance to the surrounding country in time 
of war — that it was only in a progressive state of 
improvement — that it was garrisoned by only an 
hundred and fifty new recruits, who had never 
before faced a veteran enemy — and that it was as- 
sailed on every side by land and naval forces, pro- 
bably amounting to 1500 men, and an hundred 
pieces of cannon, its defence may be ranked among 
the most gallant achievements in the last, or any 
previous war in America. When the defences 
of Stonhigtoti, Fort M^IIenry^ Fort Boun/er, and 
Fort St. FMllips are remembered, the " naval de- 
monstrations" of the haughty mistress of the ocean, 
lose the terrour which our countrymen formerly at- 
tached to them ; and shews that independent and 
valiant freemen, defending their homes against 
modern hired Vandals, sent to destroy them, ivill 
ha victorious. 



166 . MEMOIRS OF 



CHAPTER Xn. 

Gen. Jackson is appointed Maj. Gen. in U. S. army — FcrtBowyer ; 
— its importance, and its danger — Gen. Jackson determines to j 
reduce Pensacola — Arrival of Gen. Coffee with Tennessee i 
Volunteers and Missisippi Dragoons — Capture of Pensacola — | 
Gen. Jackson's account of it — Destruction of the Barancas— ' 
He returns to Mobile — Col.*Nicoll's proclamation — ^Remark. | 

PREVIOUS to this period, (Oct. 1814,) Gen. ; 
Jaf:kson had been appointed a Major GeneraJ in the | 
army of the United States, and commander of the i 
7th military district. He had been Major-general, \ 
by brevet, some time antecedent to this appoint- \ 
ment, and commander of the same district. 

The importance of Fort Bowyer as a military i 
post, became more and more apparent to him, as he ' 
discovered the immense preparation of the enemy, j 
to assail the wliole American sea board, from Pen- [ 
sacola to New Orleans. This fort was but three i 
days' march for land forces from Pensacola, where j 
the British had already hoisted their flag ; and from j 
thence to New Orleans, but ten days' march. By ■ 
the possession of this fort at the mouth of the ca- | 
pacious bay of Mobile — the bay itself, and the ad- 
joining country, the British land and naval forces ] 
would derive incalculai)le advantages. To secure \ 
it, therefore, was, in the view of the commanding ! 
general, of the utmost importance. .But however^ 



ANDREW JACKSON. JG7 

important the measure, the means to accomplish it 
were altogether beyond his reach. Without a na- 
val force to cover the fort, or to assist in its defence, 
with but a small regular force under his command 
at Mobile, and wholly uncertain when the forces 
from the distant state of Tennessee, and other pla- 
ces, would arrive, it would seem to have been the 
dictate, not only of the cardinal virtue oi prudence, 
but oi fortitude itself, to have evacuated the fort 
and the country at once. The gallant defence of 
this place, upon the 15th Sept. although a severe 
mortificatioti to the enemy, would induce them to 
send a force against it, absolutely irresistible. So 
insufficient were his means of defence, from the 
middle of September, to about the 20th October, 
and so overwhelming was the superiority of the 
enemy's force, and constantly augmenting, that had 
he at this time, retired to New Orleans, with his 
little army, an unanimous sentence of approbation 
must have been pronounced by his countrymen. 
But his language was " resting on the bravery 
OF MY LITTLE PHALANX, I HOPE FOR SUCCESS." Not- 
withstanding the discouragiug aspect of airairs,''it 
was at this period that he resolved, on his own res- 
ponsibility, to march for Pensacola ; and with his 
arm}" — '•'• to carry our arms where we find our ene- 
J7ries.^^'^ Having been educated as a jurist, he was 

* Had it not been for some unaccountable neglect or desig-n in 
the War Department, in July, 1814, Gen. Jackson would not have 
been reduced to this dilemma. Upon Ja7ma/'tf ITth, lolS, he 
received a letter from Mr. Armstrong-, dated Juty lyth, 1814, as 



i68 MEMOIRS OE 

versed in the principles of the Law of Nations. 
He had a knowledge of the obligations which one 
government owes to another— he was aware of the 
acts which this code would justify in a belligerent 
power, and the duty it enjoined upon a power that 
was professedly a neutral one. The Spanish gov- 
ernment at this time, in regard to the American 
Republic, was of the latter character hy profession^ 
and of the former one by practice. He determined 
to place himself within striking distance of the 
enemy, whether he found them devastating the ter- 
ritory of the Republic, or preparing to do it in the 
adjoining territory of another power. The propri- 
ety and legality of this measure will more properly 
be considered, when we have traced the life of 
Gen. Jackson to the year 18 i8, when he, a second 
time, carried the American arms to the capital of 
Florida. 

About the 25th October, the exhilarating intelli- 
gence was received at Mobile, that Gen. Coflee 
had arrived at Fort St. Stevens, with nearly 3000 
* Tennessee Volunteers,' and Missisippi Dragoons. 
The news operated upon the ** little phalanx," like 
a shock of electricity upon the human system. 
Though previously resolved to follow their corn- 
Secretary of War, which says — " If all the cifcumstances stated by 
yoxt, unite, the conchision is irresistible. It becomes oxir duty to car- 
ry our arms ivhere ive Jind our enemies" Mr. Armstrong, not long" 
after this date, was succeeded in the war department, by Mr. 
Monroe. The whole of this letter may be seen by recurrence to 
the publications of that period- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 169 

mander to the cannon's mouth, and force their way 
into the fortress of the enemy, though bristled with 
bayonets, they became enthusiastic when they 
knew they were reinforced by veterans, to many 
of whom victory had become familiar, and who 
were ignorant of the name of fear. Gen. Jackson 
hastened to the encampment of his companion in 
arms. He might have said of Gen. Coffee, as Nel- 
son said of Gapt. Hardy — ^'•He is my right arm.'''' 
They had travelled hand in liand, in the high road 
to conquest over savages, and were now again 
united in a desperate effort to save their country 
from subjugation and slavery, by the vaunting 
conquerors of the rights of man in Europe. 

Many of the troops who arrived from Tennessee, 
and Missisippi, had seen no service, but they saw 
their beloved country endangered, and they imme* 
diately became practical, if not theoretical soldiers. 
Parts of the 3d, 39th, and 44th infantry of U. S. 
soldiers, were mingled with them. In a few days, 
they were all ready for an expedition to Pensacola, 
to " plant the American Eagle^^ in the place of the 
British Lion.'^ 

Upon the 3d November, the army took up the 
line of march. Gen. Jackson commanded in per- 
son. Upon the Cth, he approached the place, and 
sent forward a flag to tlie governour at Fort St. 
George. In open violation of every principle of 

* A British flag had, for many days, been hoisted at the Spanish 
fort in Pensacola. 

15 



170 MEMOIRS OP 

civilized warfare— in flagrant contempt of the 
rights even of contending armies, Maj. Pierre, who 
bore the flag, was fired on by a cannon from the 
fort ! It was courtesy alone, that induced Gen. 
Jackson to send the flag. His wish was, notwith- 
standing the previous insolence of governour Man- 
requez, to save the eflfusion of human blood, by a 
pacific interview, explaining the object of his visit ; 
and had he immediately stormed the fort, and put 
the garrison to the sword, the laws of war would 
have justified the procedure. He encamped his 
troops for the night, and upon the morning of the 
7th, " proclaimed his diplomatic character from the 
mouths of his cannon.^^ 

The general hastily and briefly describes the 
battle in the following letter, having subsequently 
made his Report to the Secretary of War. 

GEN. JACKSON TO GOV. BLOUNT. 

H. Q. 7th Military District, Tensa-w, Nov. 1814. 

Sir — On last evening I returned from Pensacola 
to this place. I reached that post on the evening 
of the 6th. On my approach I sent Major Pierre 
with a flag to communicate the object of my visit 
to the Governour of Pensacola. He , approached 
Fort St. George, with his flag displayed, and was 
fired on by the cannon from the fort ; be returned 
and made report thereof to me. I imrnediatly went 
with the Adjutant-General and the Major, with a 



ANDREW JACKSON. 171 

small escort, and viewed the fort, and found it de- 
fended by both British and Spanish troops. I im- 
mediately determined to storm the town ; retired 
and encamped my troops for the night, and made the 
necessary arrangements to carry my determination 
into effect the next dav. 

On the morning of the 7th, I marched with the 
effective regulars of the 3d, 39th, and 44ith infantry ; 
part of Gen. Coffee's brigade; the Missisippi dra- 
goons, and part of the West Tennessee regiment, 
commanded by Lieut. Col. Hammonds, (Col. Low- 
ry having deserted and gone home,) and part of 
the Choctaws, led by Maj. Blue, of the 39th, and 
Maj. Kennedy, of Missisippi Territory. Being en- 
camped on the west of the town, I calculated they 
would expect the assault from that quarter, and be 
prepared to rake me from the fort, and the British 
armed vessels, 7 in number, that lay in the bay. 
To cherish this idea, I sent out part of the mounted 
men to show themselves on the west, whilst I pass- 
ed in rear of the fort undiscovered to the east of 
the town. When I appeared within a mile, I was 
in fall view. My pride was never more heightened 
than in viewing the uniform firmness of my troops, 
and with what undaunted courage they advanced 
with a strong fort ready to assail them on the 
right; seven British armed vessels on the left; 
strong block-houses and batteries of cannon in their 
front : but they still advanced with unshaken firm- 
ness, entered the town, when a battery of two can= 



172 MEMOIRS OP 

non was opened upon the centre column, eomposed 
of regulars, with bail and grape, and a shower of 
musketry from the houses and gardens. The bat- 
tery was immediately stormed by Capt. Levall and 
company, and carried, and the musketry was soon 
silenced by the steady and well directed fire of 
the regulars. 

The governour met Cols.. Williamson and Smith, 
who led the dismounted volunteers, with a flag, 
begged for mercy, and surrendered the town and 
fort, unconditionally. Mercy was granted and pro- 
tection given to the citizens and their property, 
and still Spanish treachery kept us out of posses- 
sion of the fort, until nearly 12 o'clock at night. 

Never was more cool, determined bravery dis- 
played by any troops ; and the Choctaws advanced 
to the charge with equal bravery. 

On the morning of the 8th, I prepared to march 
and storm the Barancas, but before J could move, 
tremendous explosions told me that the Barancas, 
with all its appendages, was blown up. I dis- 
patched a detachment of tw^o hundred men to ex- 
plore it, who returned in the night with the infor- 
mation that it was blown up ; all the combustible 
parts burnt, the cannon spiked and dismounted, 
except two. This being the case, I determined to 
withdraw my troops ; but before I did, I had the 
pleasure to see the British depart. Col. NicoII 
abandoned the fort on the night of the 6th, and 



ANDREW JACKSON. 173 

betook himself to his shipping, with his friend Capt. 
Woodbine, and their red friends. 

The steady firmness of my troops has drawn a 
just respect from our enemies. It has convinced 
the Red Sticks, that they have no strong hold or 
protection, only in the friendship of the United 
States. The good order and conduct of my troops 
whilst in Pensacola, has convinced the Spaniards 
of our friendship and our prowess, and has drawn 
from the citizens an expression, that our Choctaws 
are more civilized than the British, 

In great haste, I am, &c. 

ANDFtEW JACKSON. 

In this engagement not an American lost his life. 
The gallant Capt. Levall, mentioned in the gene- 
ral's letter commenced the attack, and fell despe- 
rately wounded at the head of his command, in 
storming the enemy's battery. The conduct of 
Gov. Manrequez, in the midst of tlie engagement. 
Is a volume of commentary upon his prcviour. 
conduct. " With a Hag, he begged for mercy, and 
surrendered the town and fort, iinconditionalhj /" 
Gen. Jackson might have said to him, as a gallant 
chieftain of antiquity did to a trembling and sup- 
plicating foe-~.'* Be not as extreme in sitbrnission 
as in offence,^'* This generous commander felt a 
conteaiptuous pity for the humbled governour. 
He was aware that he was not a free agent, and of 
course, hardly an accountable being. He acted 



174 MEMOIRS OP 

under duress from the imperious Col. Nicoll and 
Capt. Woodbine, who, no less terrified than the 
governour, fled in consternation to their shipping, 
before a gun was fired ; in which, if they could no^^ 
withstand, they could flee from the vengeance of 
Republican Soldiers, 

Soon after the terms of capitulation were agreed 
upon, the governour agreed also to surrender the 
Barancas, about fifteen miles to the westward. 
But in perfect consistency with Spanish faith, and 
British honour, it was blown up and completely de- 
molished before it could be possessed by the Amer- 
ican forces. 

Gen. Jackson, having struck this important blow; 
having convinced the hostile Indians, that Spaniards 
could not protect them ; and Spaniards, that the con- 
fident security they had placed in British protec- 
tion only exposed them to destruction, he immedi- 
ately prepared to throw himself and his army, into 
the more exposed parts of the country. It excites 
astonishment that he should have left Mobile upon 
the 3d, arrived at Pensacola upon the 6th, captured 
it upon the fth, agreed upon the surrender of the 
Barancas, upon the 8th, and upon the 9th, have 
taken up the line of march for Mobile to defend Fort 
Bowyer. To this celerity of movement, and impor- 
tance of measures, modern warfare scarcely fur- 
nishes a parallel. Gen. Jackson possesses one of the 
most essential attributes of a warrior — promptitude. 
He decides promptly, he executes promptly. He 



ANDREW JACKSON. 175 

diso possesses the rare quality of infusing into the 
hearts of his soldiers, the ardour that inspires his 
own. 

While these events were transpiring in the eas- 
tern section of the 7th military district, the solici- 
tude of the commander and of the whole adjoining 
country, was encreased for the safety of New Or- 
leans, emphatically the key of the whole Western 
States and Territories. 

Col. Nicoil, soon after his arrival at Pensacola, 
confident of success, and swelling with the '* un- 
gc^thered laurels" of anticipated victories, endeav- 
oured to prepare the minds of Louisianians, Ken- 
tuckians, Tennesseeans, and the citizens of Missi- 
sippi, for the blessings of Britisli dominion, to 
which they would shortly be subjected. Although 
his celebrated Proclamation has long been before 
the indignant reader, to hold that and hiai up again 
to contempt, X insert it in this work. 

COL. NICOLL, TO LOUISIANIANS, KENTUCKIaNS, &C. 

" Natives of Louisiana I On you the first call is 
made, to assist in liberating from a faithless, imbe- 
cile government, your paternal soil : Spaniards, 
Frenchmen, Italians, and British, whether settled, 
or residing for a time in Louisiana, on you, also, I 
call, to aid me in this just cause. The American 
usurpation^ in this country must be abolished, atid 
the Icmiful owners of the soil put in possession. I 
aDi at the head of a large body of Indians, well arm- 
ed, disciplined, and commanded by British offi- 



176 MEMOIRS or 

cers— a good train of artillery, with every requisite, 
seconded by the powerful aid of a numerous British 
and Spanish squadron of ships and vessels of war. 
Be not alarmed, inhabitants of the country, at our 
approach ; the same good faith and disinterested- 
nessjwhich has distinguished the conduct of Britons 
in Europe, accompanies them here ; you will have 
no fear of litigious taxes imposed on you, for the 
purpose of carrying on an unnatural and unjust war ; 
your property, your laws, the peace and tranquillity 
of your country, will be guaranteed to you by men, 
who will sufler no infringement of their's. Rest as- 
sured, that these brave red men only burn with an 
ardent desire of satisfaction, for the wrongs they 
have suffered from iht Americans ; to join you, in 
liberating these southern provinces from their yoke ^ 
and drive them into those limits, formerly prescri- 
])ed by my sovereign. The Indians have pledged 
themselves in the most solemn nanner, not to injure, 
in the slightest degree, the persons or properties of 
any, but enemies. A ilag over any door, whether 
Spanish, French, or British, will be a certain pro- 
tection ; nor dare any Indian put his foot on the 
threshold thereof, under penalty of death from his 
own countrymen ; not even an enemy, will an In- 
dian put to death, except resisting m arms ; and as 
for injuring helpless women and children, the red 
men, by their good conduct, and treatment to them, 
will (if it be possible) make the Americans blush for 
their more inhuman conduct lately on the Escam- 
bia ; and within a neutral territory. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 177 

Inhabitants of Kentueky! you have too long 
borne with grievous impositions — the whole brunt 
of the war has fallen on your brave sons : be im- 
posed on no longer, but either range yourselves 
under the standard of your forefathers, or observe 
a strict neutrality. 

If you comply with either of these offers, what- 
ever provisions you send down, will be paid for in 
dollars^ and the safety of the persons bringing it, as 
ibell as the free navigation of the Missisippi, guar- 
anteed to you. Men of Kentucky ! let me call to 
your view, (and I trust to your abhorrence,) the 
conduct of those factio7is, which hurried you into 
this civil, unjust, and unnatural loar, at a time 
when Great Britain was straiuinj^ every nerve, in 
defence of her own, and the liberties of the world — 
when the bravest of her sons were fisjhting and 
bleeding in so sacred a cause — when she was 
spending millions of her treasure, in endeavouring 
to pull down one of the most formidable and dan- 
gerous tyrants, that ever disgraced the form of 
man — when groaning Europe was almost in her 
last gasp — when Britons alone showed an iindauntcd 
front — basely did those assassins endeavour to stab 
her from the rear ; she has turned on them, reno- 
vated from the bloody, but successful struggle. 
Europe is happy and free, and she now hastens, 
justly, to revenge the unprovoked insult. Show 
them that you are not collectively unjust ; leave 
that contemptible few to shift for themselves : let 



78 MEMOIRS OP 

those slaves of the tyrant send an embassy to Elba, 
and implore his aid ; but let every honest, upright 
American spurn them with united contempt. After 
tlie experience of twenty-one years, can you longer 
support those brawlers for liberty, who call it free* 
dom, when themselves are free ? Be no longer 
their dupes— accept of my ofl'ers — every thing 1 
have promised in this paper, I guarantee to you, 
on the sacred honour of a British officer. 

Given under my hand, at my head -quarters, 
Pensacolai this 29th day of August, 1814. 

EDWARD NICOLL. 

It would be difficult to determine whether weak- 
ness, iguorance, arrogance, or falsehood predomi- 
nates in this British state paper ; and whether it was 
the production of a cabinet council at London, or of 
the individual labour of the redoubted Col. NicolL 
It would be *' stale, flat, and unprofitable," to ana- 
lyze or criticise it. It evinces the weakness of the 
author, his ignorance of the American character, 
the arrogance of a coward, and the baseness of a 
scoundrel. The conduct of Nicoll at Pensacoia, is 
a sufficient commentary upon his proclamation. 
Having duped the governour of Florida, and expos- 
ed his capital to destruction, he basely deserted hina, 
in his utmost need, and shewed, that with an ancient 
British Knight, he thought " the better part of 
valour is — discretion." Maj. Lawrence at Fort 
Bowyer, taught him, for the rest part of his life, to 



ANDREW JACKSON. 179 

look with a single eye*^ No proclamation could be 
better calculated to call the gallant sons of Ken- 
tucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Missisippi to the 
standard of the American Hero, than this. They 
knew well how to distinguish between his patriot- 
ism and courage, and '^ the sacred honour of a Brit- 
ish officer,''^ It will be remembered that another 
British officer, Gen. Brisbane, invited the citizens 
of New-York and Vermont, to flee to the standard 
of Sir Geo. Prevost, at Plattsburg. They preferred 
that of Gen. Macomb ; and there taught the vaunt- 
ing conquerors of Napoleon the same lesson at the 
North, which Gen. Jackson afterwards repeated to 
them at the South, 

* See Gen. Jackson's account of the defence of Fort Bowyer. 



180 MEMOIRS OI 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Gen. Jackson's arrival at New Orleans — perilous situation of that 
place — reliance upon distant forces — ^his address to the people 
of Louisiana — ^timidity of the legislature — evidence of disaffec- 
tion, and traitorous conduct — Declaration of Martial Law — 
Measures of defence — Arrival of reinforcements — Landing* of 
the enemy — ^Battle of the 23d December— Official report of it- 

THE solicitude which Gen. Jackson felt for the 
safety of Mobile bay and Fort Bowyer, was now 
almost forgotten in the overwhelming anxiety he 
endured for the most important place in his district, 
and in some respects, in the Union — New Orleans, 
For a considerable period there had been no gen- 
eral officer in the 7th military district but himself, 
who was attached to the array of the United States, 
although with him there had long been one general 
officer who would adorn any service. At length 
Brig. Gen. Winchester, of U. S. army, arrived, and 
to him Gen. Jackson assigned the command of the 
eastern section of his district, and immediately re~ 
paired to New Orleans. 

He arrived at this place upon the 2d December, 
J814. A mere casuist may wonder why the pre- 
sence of a single individual at an exposed place, is 
an augury of its safety ; but it is in vain for casu- 
ists, philosophers, or stoics, to laugh at a sentiment 
that is common to our nature. TJie presence of 



ANDREW JACKSON. 181 

Washington at Trenton^ and of Putnam at Bun- 
ker'' s Hill, had the same effect upon citizens and 
soldiers, as that of Jackson at New Orleans, 

At no period since the declaration of American 
Independence in July 1776, to December 1814, had 
an American commander a duty of more impor- 
tance and difficulty to discharge than had Gen. 
Jackson at this portentous period. At.Mobile, with 
means apparently wholly insufficient, (to use his 
own language,) he had '*a sickly climate, as well 
as an enemy to contend with." At New Orleans he 
had to contend with the consternation of the citi- 
zens, the insolence of judicial power, and the timor- 
ous policy of the legislature of Louisiana ; as well 
as against the most powerful land and naval force, 
that had, for forty years, menaced any one place 
in the Republic. lie had also to contend with the 
prejudices, the favouritism, and the perfidiousness 
of foreigners, a vast number of whom had migrated 
to Louisiana before its accession to the Republic, 
by Mr. Monroe's treaty. 

Although the Proclamation of Nicoll, excites in 
fhe mind of an intelligent American reader, no 
feeling but that of ineflable contempt ; yet with the 
mixed population of Louisiana, its effects might be 
essentially diilerent. Although amongst that pop--- 
Illation, where many native Americans of distin- 
guished talents and patriotism, it is without a doubt 
the fact, that in I8l4, a majority of its inhabitants 
were of foreign extraction ; and that much the 



182 MEMOIRS O? 1 

1 

most numerous class of foreigners were Frenchmen, J 

They saw the same fomidable power, that had re- I 

cently taken the lead in conquering the conqueror | 
of Europe, driving him into exile, and restoring 

Louis XVI II. to the French throne, now menacing \ 

i 
Louisiana with a force, that seemed to be irresisti- t 

ble. Spaniards^ in the same power, recognized j 
the restorer of Ferdinand VI I. Englishmen^ dared ) 
not take up arras against their own countrymen un- ^i 
less certain of victory. Gen. Jackson was aware 1 
that in this discordant mass of people, there would 
be many who would not only neglect to repair to 1 
the American standard, but who would " give aid 
and comfort" to the enemy. He was also aware I 
that energetic and coercive measures to detect do- 
mestic traitors, or to conquer a powerful foe, would 
meet with resistance from that undefined, and fre_ 
quently unrestrained spirit of liberty, which for- 
eigners, recently settled in the Republic, almost in- 
variably manifest. But it was in vain for him to 
wish for a different state of things, or to pursue a 
course of conduct which a different state would have 
rendered judicious and expedient. He was compel 
led to actas circumstances dictated, without the pow- 
er of changing them. Like a great man in danger, 
described by a great poet, with elegance—^* Serene^ 
and master of himself, he prepared far what might 
come, and left the rest to heaven^ 

Commander in chief of the extensive and im- 
portant military district No. 7, he knew that the 



ANDREW JACKSON. 18S 

eyes and the hopes of the American people were 
fixed upon him, and *' the little phalanx" who had 
followed him to victory. With many who knew 
the peril of his situation, these hopes were mingled 
with despair ; but despair never produced its par- 
alizing efiiects in the bosom of the general. In Gov. 
Claiborne of Louisiana, Gov. Blount of Tennes- 
see, and Gov. Shelby of Kentucky, he felt a safe* 
a certain reliance, as he knew them to be patriotic 
statesmen of the first water. In Gen, Coffee and 
Gen. Carroll, and the gallant men who he knew 
would fullow him to victory or to death, he could 
recognize officers and soldiers who would cheerful- 
ly unite with him and the small regular force he had 
under his command, at New Orleans. From Mis- 
sisippi, he also felt the strongest assurance that 
his force would be augmented by many of its gal- 
lant soldiers, who had followed him in taking am- 
ple vengeance upon the Creeks, for the massacre at 
Tensaw, in their territory. It was still, however, 
wholly uncertain how soon an effective force, which 
would give any hopes of a successful delibnce of the 
place would arrive. His first reliance was upon 
the Louisiana militia, upon whom, from circum- 
stances already mentioned, he could place the least. 
He had a faithful coadjutor in Gov. Claiborne ; and 
from Mr. Edward Livingston, derived every assis. 
tance which liis great talents and influence enabled. 
him to afford. Gen. Jackson addressed the citizens 
and soldiers of Louisiana, in the following impres- 
ive manner : — 



j84 memoirs of 

<« Natives of the the United States! the enemy 
you are to centend with, are the oppressors of your 
infant political existence — they are the men your 
fathers fought and conquered, whom you are now 
to oppose. 

Descendants of Frenchmen! natives of France! 
tliey are English, the hereditary, the eternal ene- 
mies of your ancient country, the invaders of that 
you have adopted, who are your foes. Spaniards ? 
remember the conduct of your allies at St. Sebas- 
tian, and recently at Fensacola, and rejoice that 
you have an opportunity of avenging the brutal 
injuries inflicted by men who dishonour the human 
race. Louisianians ! your general rejoices to wit- 
ness the spirit that animates you, not only for your 
honour but your safety ; for whatever had been 
your conduct or wishes, his duty would have led, 
and yet will lead him, to confound the citizen, un- 
nimdfuJ of his riglits, with the enemy he ceases to 
oppose. Commanding men who know their rights, 
a; d are determined to defend them, he salutes you 
as brethren in arras ; and has now a new motive to 
exert all his faculties, which shall be strained to 
t! e "itmost, in your defence. Continue with the 
energy you have begun, and he promises you not 
only safety, but victory over an insolent foe, who 
has insulted you by an affected doubt of your at- 
taciiPjent to the constitution of your country. Your 
enemy is near ; his sails already cover the lakes : 
but the brave are united ; and if he find us con- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 185 

tending among ourselves, it will be for the prize of 
valour — and fame, its noblest reward.*' 

Considering the nature of the people and of the 
troops he had to address, it is difficult to conceive 
of an appeal more appropriate. The native Amer- 
icans are pointed to *' the oppressors of their infant 
political existeivce^'^ — The natives of France to the 
" eternal enemy of their ancient country — the invaders 
of the one they had adopted*'' — Spaniards too, arc 
reminded of *' the brutal injuries inflicted'*'' upon 
their country, *' by men who dishonour the human 
race^ It was argumentum ad hominum — an appeal 
to men ; which is generally more effectual thaa 
arguments d^diWc^iX ivom principle. But excepting 
with the American part of the pppulation, it had 
no effect. Indeed, from Euroi)ean Spaniards but 
little exertion could be expected in the cause of 
(he Republic, whtn they shortly expected to see the 
country they inhabited return to the Spanish 
yoke *, and the Frenchmen there, who, a short pe- 
riod before, were vociferating, Vive VEmptreur ! 
were now sending in their adhesions to Louis 
XVXII. and exclaim, Five le Roil — So far from 
volunteering, they refused to comply with the mil- 
itary drafts that were made. 

The disaffection of the few is easily checked, 
when the public functionaries discharge the neces- 
sary duties devolved upon them ; but so far were 
the legislative and juf'iciary powers of the stale, 
rem calling in the power of law to check the 



18G MEMOIRS OF 

growing discontent, that they encouraged it by 
conniving at it. Governour Claiborne did every 
thing which a patriotic and vigilant executive could 
discharge ; but a majoriti/ of tlie legislature, nerve- 
less, timorous, and desponding, hung upon him like 
an incubus^ and paralized all his exertions. In re- 
gard to this house of assembly, the governour might 
have said, *' mine enemies are those of my own 
household." 

From the Police of the city of New Orleans, no 
more hopes could be derived than from the major- 
ity of the legislature of the state ; and some of its 
inliabitants were carrying on a treacherous inter- 
course with the enemy. The writer would not so 
confidently have stated the facts contained in 
this chapter, unless he had in his possession indu- 
bitable evidence of their accuracy. From the mass 
of testimony, the following is selected from the 
correspondence between Gov. Claiborne and Gen. 
Jackson. In one letter the governour says, " On 
a late occasion \ had the mortification to acknowl- 
edge my inability to meet a requisition from Gen. 
Flournoy ; the corps of this city having for the 
most part resisted my orders, being encouraged 
in their disobedience by the legislature of the 
state, then in session; one branch of -which, the 
senate, having declared the requisition illegal and 
oppressive, and the house of representatives 
having rejected a proposition to approve the mea- 
sure. How far I shall be supported in my late 



ANDREW JACKSON. JSf 

orders remains yet to be proved. I have reason 
to calculate upon the patriotism of the interior and 
western counties. I know also that there are 
many faithful citizens in New Orleans ; but there 
are others, in whose attachment to the United 
States I ought not to confide. Upon the whole, 
Sir, r cannot disguise the fact, that if Louisiana 
should be attacked, we must principally depend for 
security upon the prompt movements of the regu- 
lar force under your command, and the militia of 
the western states and territories. At this moment 
we are in a very unprepared and defenceless condi- 
tion; several important points of defence remain 
unoccupied, and in case of a sudden attack, this 
capital would, I fear, fall an easy sacrifice." 

In another letter, he most impressively remarks, 
— " Inclosed you have copies of my late general 
orders. They may, and I trust will be obeyed ; but 
to this moment, my fellow citizens have not mani- 
fested all that union and zeal the crisis demands, 
and their own safety requires. There is in this 
city a much greater spirit of disaffection, than I had 
anticipated ; and among the faithful Louisianians, 
there is a despondency which palsies all my prepa- 
rations ; they see no strong regular force, around 
which they could rally with confidence, and they 
seem to think themselves not within the reach of 
seasonable assistance, from the western states. I 
am assured, Sir, you will make the most judicious 
disposition of the forces under your command ; but 



iSS MEMOIRS OF 

excuse me for suggesting, that the presence of the 
seventh regiment, at or near New Orleans, will 
have the most salutary effect. The garrison here 
at present, is alarmingly weak, and is a cause of 
much regret : from the great mixture of persons, 
and characters, in this city, we have as much to ap- 
prehend from within as from without. In arresting 
the intercourse between New Orleans and Pensacola, 
you have done right. Pensacola is in fact, an en- 
emy's post, and had our commercial intercourse 
with it continued, the supplies furnished to the en- 
emy, would have so much exhausted our own stock 
of provisions, as to have occasioned the most 
serious inconvenience to ourselves. 

I was on the point of taking on myself, the pro- 
hibition of the trade with Pensacola : I had prepa- 
red a proclamation to that effect, and would have 
issued it the very day I heard of your interposition. 
Enemies to the country ma}^ blame you for your 
prompt and energetic measures ; but, in the person 
of every patriot you will find a supporter. I am 
very confident of the very lax police of this city, 
and indeed throughout the state, with respect to 
the visits of strangers. I think with you, that our 
country is filled with spies and traitors. I have 
written pressiugly on the subject, to the city author- 
ities and parish judges— I hope some efficient regula- 
tions will speedily be adopted by the first, and more 
vigilance exerted for the future, by the latter" 



ANDREW JACKSON. 189 

In a third letter, the governour observes, — 
♦* The only difficulty I have liitherto experienced 
in meeting the requisition, has been in this city, 
and exclusively frona some European Frenchmen, 
who, after giving their adhesion to Louis XVIIF. 
have, through the medium of the French consul, 
claimed exemption from the drafts, as French sub- 
jects. The question of exemption, however, is 
now under discussion, before a special court of in- 
quiry, and I am not without hopes, that tJiese un- 
grateful men, may yet be brought to a discharge of 
their duties. 

You have been informed of the contents of an 
intercepted letter, written by Col. Coliel, a Span- 
ish officer, to Capt. Morales, of Pensacola. This 
letter v^as submitted for the opinion of the attorney 
general of the state, as to the measures to be pursu- 
ed against the writer. Tlie attorney general was 
of opinion, that the courts could take no cognizance 
of the same ; but that the governour miglit order 
the writer to leave the state, and in case of refusal, 
to send him off by force. I accordingly, Sir, or- 
dered Col. Coliel to take his departure, in forty- 
eight hours, for Pensacola, and gave him the ne- 
cessary passports. I liope this measure may meet 
your approbation. It is a just retaliation for the 
conduct lately observed by the governour of Ptn- 
sacola, and may induce the Spaniards residing 
among us, to be less communicative upon those 
subjects which relate to our military movements." 



190 MEMOIRS OF 

In another letter, this patriotic chief magistrate 
says to Gen. Jackson, "If Louisiana is invaded, I « 
shall put myself at the head of such of ray militia 
as will follow me to the field, and on receiving, shall 
obey your orders.'* It will be remembered that 
the venerable Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky, served 
under Maj Gen. Harrison, when he obtained his 
signal victory over Gen. Proctor. In addition to 
this explicit evidence, furnished by Gov. Claiborne, 
Charles K Blanchard, Esq. writes to G^en. Jackson 
thus — '* Quarter- master Peddie of the British army, 
observed [to me] that the commanding officers of 
the British forces, were daily in the receipt of 
every information from the city of New Orleans, 
which they might require in aid of their operations, 
for the completion of the objects of the expedi- 
tion ; — that they were perfectly acquainted with 
the situation of every part of our forces, the manner 
in which the same was situated, the number of our 
fortifications, their strength, position, &c. He fur- 
thermore stated, that the above information was re- 
ceived from persons in the city of New Orleans, 
from whom he could at any hour^ procure every in- 
formation necessary to promote his majesty's in- 
terest ! !" 

I have been thus particular in describing the 
situation in which Gen. Jackson found the citizens 
of Louisiana, its legislature, and its capital, upon his 
arrival there early in December, 1814, because it 
induced, and indeed compelled him to resort to a 



ANDREW JACKSON, ]9l 

measure which had never before been resorted to 
in the Republic, since the adoption of the Consti- 
tution THE DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW. This 

took place upon the I6th of the montli, twenty- 
three days l)efore the splendid victory, which secu- 
red the city of New Orleans and the states border- 
ing upon the Missisippi, from the rapacity of an 
enemy whose principles of warfare had been de- 
monstrated, upon the western frontier, at Havre dc 
Grace, at Hampton, and at Washington .' 

The proceedings of the legislature were suspen- 
ded. But let the majority of the members, who 
then constituted it, remember, that the suspension 
of their civil power, was occasioned by their resis- 
tance of a legal military power. Gen. Jackson 
had been too long in the discliarge of the highest 
civil functions, not to acknowledge the superiority 
of the civiU over the military power. He had been 
too long in military life, to be ignorant of the 
duties of an American General, to whom was com- 
mitted the defence of a district, the safety of which 
was paramount to every other consideration. 

The citizens of New Orleans, and its environs, 
were, for a few days deprived of their accustomed 
privileges. But the patriotic part of them, endu- 
red the deprivation with pleasure, since i; prohi- 
bited the perfidious and traitorous part of them, 
from holding an intercourse with the rnemy, calcu- 
kted to aid them in the subjugation of it. 



192 MEMOIRS or 

Gen. Jackson had been incessantly engaged, 
since his arrival, in selecting the most comman- 
ding scites for fortifications, near the mouth of the 
Missisippi. Fort St. Philips, was selected as the 
most eligible one, and Maj. W, H. Overton was 
appointed to the command of it. His gallant de- 
fence of it, will constitute a subsequent article in 
these memoirs. The naval force near New Orleans, 
consisted of small gun vessels, under the command 
of Capt. Patterson. The gallantry, not to say des- 
peration, with which they were defended, more 
properly belongs to the naval chronicle than to 
this work. 

From the l6th, to the 22d December, the gen- 
eral, by his animation, vigilance, and exertions, 
seemed to magnify his little phalanx into a host, 
and to dissipate the despondency that pervaded the 
citizens, by the confidence his presence excited. 
Upon the last mentioned day, the reinforcements 
from Tennessee, under Generals Carroll and Coffee 
had arrived. Those under Gen. Coffee, were, the 
most of them, the same men who had encamped at 
Fort St. Stephens, two months previous, and who 
were present at the capture of Pensacola, upon the 
7t\\ November. From the time they left Tennes- 
see, to the time they encamped at New Orleans, 
they had marched over 800 miles ! The troops 
under the command of Gen. Carroll, were those 
recently raised by order of Gov. Blount, and but 



ANDREW JACKSON. 193 

few of them had seen any service. They had sud- 
denly repaired to their rendezvous at home ; im- 
mediately entered the water craft in the Missisippi, 
and had no opportunity to study even the first 
principles of military tactics, before they were 
called to face a veteran foe whose prowess was 
acknowledged through the world. The Missisippi 
Dragoons had also arrived, under the command of 
their accomplished leader, Maj. Hinds ; and this 
heterogenous mass of citizen-soldiers, was conver- 
ted, as by magic, into an army, whose achievements 
under their great leader, Gen. Jackson, will now be 
detailed. At this period, the Kentucky troops, 
raised by order of Gov. Shelby, and commanded by 
Maj. Gen. Thomas, had not arrived at New Orleans. 
^ Previous to the 23d, the gun vessels had been 
captured by the enemy, with an overwhelming force, 
after a defence by Lieut. Thos. Ap. Catesby Jones, 
which " reflects additional splendour on our naval 
glory, and diminishes the regret felt by their 
loss."* 

Upon the 23d, Maj. Gen. Keene landed nine 
miles below New Orleans, with 3000 men, inured 
to arms, and Gen. Jackson, with less than half that 
number of men, mostly militia, immediately march- 
ed to give him battle. His account of the contest 
follows. 

• vide Capt. Patterson's, and Lieut. Jones* official reports, 
17 



194* MEMOIRS OF 

MAJ» gen. JACKSON TO HON. JADIES MONROE. 

Camp, below New Orleans, Dec. 27, 1814. 
Sir — The loss of our gun boats near the pass 
of the Rigolets, having given the enemy command 
of lake Borgne, he was enabled to choose his point 
of attack. It became therefore an object of impor- 
tance, to obstruct the numerous bayous and canals, 
leading from that lake to the highlands on the Mis- 
sisippi. This important service was committed, 
in the first Instance, to a detachment of the 7th reg- 
iment, afterwards to Col. De Laronde, of the 
Louisiana militia, and lastly, to make all sure, to 
Maj. Gen. Villere, commanding the district be- 
tween the river and the lakes, and who being a 
native of the country, was presumed to be Ijest ac- 
quainted with all those passes. Unfortunatel}^, 
however, a picquet which the general had estab- 
lished at the mouth of the bayou Bienvenu, and 
which, notwithstanding my orders, had been left 
unobstructed, was completely surprised, and the 
enemy penetrated through a canal leading to his 
farm, about two leagues below the city, and suc- 
ceeded in cutting clT a company of militia station- 
ed there. This intelligence was communicated to 
me about 12 o'clock of the 23d. My force at this 
time, consisted of parts of the 7th and 44th regi- 
ments, not exceeding six hundred together, the city 
militia, a part of Gen. Coft'ee's brigade of mounted 
gunmen, and the detached militia irom the wes- 
tern division of Tennessee, under the command of 



ANDREW JACKSON. 19S 

Maj. Gen. Carroll. These two last corps were sta- 
tioned 4 miles above the city. Apprehending a 
double attack by the way of Chief-Menteur, I left 
Gen. Carroll's force and the militia of the city, pos- 
ted on the Gentilly road ; and at five o'clock P. M. 
marched to meet the enemy, whom I was resolved 
to attack in his first position, with Maj. Hind's dra- 
goons, Gen. Coffee's brigade, parts of the 7th and 
44th regiments, the uniformed companies of mili- 
tia, under the command of Maj. Planche, 200 men 
of colour, chiefly from St. Domingo, raised by Col. 
Savary, and acting under the command of Maj. 
Dagwin, and a detachment of artillery under the 
direction of Col. M'Rhea, with two 6 pounders, 
under the command of Lieut. Spotts ; not exceed- 
ing in all, 1500. I arrived near the enemy's en- 
campment about seven, and immediately made my 
dispositions for the attack. His forces amounting 
at that time on laud, to about 3000, extended half a 
mile on that river, and in the rear nearly to the 
wood. Gen. Coflee was ordered to turn their 
right, while with the residue of the force, I attack- 
ed his strongest position on the left, near the river. 
Com. Patterson, having dropped down the river in 
the schooner Caroline, was directed to open a fire 
upon their camp, which he executed at about half 
past seven. This being a signal of attack. Gen. Cof- 
fee's men, with their usual impetuosity, rushed on 
the enemy's right and entered their camp, while 
our right advanced with equal ardour. There can 



i98 MEMOIRS OF 

bf but little doubt, that we should have succeeded 
on that occasion, with our inferior force, in destroy- 
ing or capturing the enemy, had not a thick fog 
which arose about 8 o'clock, occasioned some con- 
fusion among the different corps. Fearing the con- 
sequence, under this circumstance, of the further 
prosecution of a night attack, with troops then 
acting together for the first time, I contented my- 
self with lying on the field that night ; and at four 
in the morning assumed a stronger position, about 
two miles nearer the city. At this position I re- 
mained encamped, waiting the arrival of the Ken- 
tucky militia and other reinforcements. As the 
safety of the cily will depend on the fate of this 
army, it must not be incautiously exposed. 

In this affair the whole corps under my command , 
deserve the greatest credit. The best compliment 
I can pay to Gen. Coflfee and his brigade, is to say, 
they have behaved as they have always done, while 
under my command. The 7th led by Maj. Pierre, 
and i4th, cornxoanded by Col. Ross, distinguished 
themselves. The battalion of city militia com- 
manded by Maj. Planche, realized my anticipations, 
and behaved like veterans. Savary's volunteers 
manifested great bravery ; and the company of city 
rifliemen, having penetrated into the midst of the 
enemy's camp, were surrounded, and fought their 
way out with the greatest heroism, bringing with 
them a number of prisoners. The two field pieces 
were well served by the ofHcers commanding them. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 107 

' All my officers in the line did their duty, and I 
have every reason to be satisfied with the whole pf 
my field and staff. Cols. Butler and Piatt, and 
Maj. Chotard, by their intrepidity, saved the artil- 
lery. Col. Haynes was every where that duty or 
danger called. I was deprived of the services of 
one of my aids, Capt. Butler, whom I was obliged 
to station, to his great regret, in town. Capt. Reid, 
my other aid, and Messrs. Livingston, Duplissis, 
and Davizac, who had volunteered their services, 
faced danger wherever it was to be met, and carri- 
ed my orders with the utmost promptitude. 

We made one Major, two subalterns, and sixty- 
three privates prisoners ; and the enemy's loss in 

killed and wounded must have been at least . 

My own loss I have not as yet been able to ascer- 
tain with exactness, but suppose it to amount to 
100 in killed, wounded and missing. Among the 
former, I have to lament the loss of Col. Lauder- 
dale, of Gen. Coffee's brigade, who fell while 
bravely fighting. Cols. Dyer and Gibson of the 
same corps, were wounded, and Maj. Kavcnaugh 
taken prisoner. 

Col. DeLaronde, Maj. Villere, of the Louisiana 
militia, Maj. Latour, of engineers, having no com- 
mand, volunteered their services, as did Drs. Kerr 
and Hood, and were of great assistance to me. 
I have the honour to be, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

Hon. James Monroe, Secretary of War- 
17 * 



198 MEMOIRS OF 

Since the civilized world have made the trade 
of war a science, perhaps no two armies ever met 
and separated, with opinions so different of each, as 
those of Gen. Jackson and Gen. Keene, on the 23d. 
The first, consisting of a small number of regular 
troops, and the rest of gentlemen and yeomen, who 
had spent their days amidst the scenes of peace, 
the whole amounting only to 1500, must have met 
a veteran army of 3000, in field fight, with fore- 
bodings bordering upon despair. The second, con- 
scious of great superiority in numbers, in discipline, 
and in experience, marched to the contest with 
contempt for their enemy, and a certainty of 
making them their prey. The battle gave to the 
first, confidence — to the second, it taught cant km. 

As the general, in his ofticial report, does not 
mention the number the enemy lost, I extract from 
Insp. Gen. Ilaynes' report, " Killed^ left on the 
field of battle, IQO-^Wounded, left on the field of 
battle, 2m~-Prisoners, 70-— total, 400.*' The losr, 
in tlie American forces, were — Killed, 21' — Woun- 
ded, 115 — missing, 74 — total, 213, 



ANDREW JACKSON, 199 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Benevolent exertions of the Ladies of New Orleans—Gen. Jack 
son selects the final position of his army — Loss of the naval 
force — Capt. Patterson — Lieut. Jcnes — Harmony between land 
and naval forces — Defence at the mouth of the Missisippi — 
American hnes on the east and west side of the river described 
— Battle of the 28th December — of the 1st January — Attempt 
upon the left wing" of the American arm}-. 

THE battle of the 23(1 December, althougli by 
no means a decisive one, produced those effects 
which led to ultimate victory. The despondency 
of the citizens was converted into hope, and the 
undisciplined troops of the Republic, presented 
" a rampart of high-minded and brave men.^^ 

From the romantic age of chivalry, to this period 
of the world, the defence of the fair sex has been 
the pride of the warrior, and their approving- sen- 
tence, one of his highest rewards. The ladies of 
New Orleans, not content merely to bestow their 
applause and their smiles upon their defenders, ex- 
erted all their faculties to ameliorate the hardships 
they endured, and to relieve them from the priva- 
tions they suffered. Clothing of a necessary kind, 
%vas furnished to a large amount for the troops, who, 
from long service and absence from home, found it 
a most seasonable supply. Almost constant ex- 
posure to the inclemency of the season, rendered 



200 MEMOIRS OF 

an additional supply of clothing, a comfort to the 
war-worn veteran, which he knows well how to ap- 
preciate. Imitating the exalted benevolence of the 
American matrons and daughters, in the glooniy 
period of the revolution, the females of the city 
became ministering angels to the wants of their 
heroic protectors. The historian will immediately 
recollect, that the women of ancient Carthage, in 
a time of danger, divested themselves of their flow- 
ing locks^ and converted them into cordage to aid 
the common defence. While the achievements of 
female Amazons, rather excite disgust than ap- 
plause, the refined benevolence of the tender sex, 
commands the admiration of men ; and even angels 
must witness it with a smile of complacency. 

Notwithstanding the rigorous execution of mar- 
tial law, over citizens as well as soldiers, the sullen 
murmurs of the disaffected were drowned by the 
applause of the patriotic. All was animation in the 
camp — all. was confidence in the city. Gen. Jack- 
son was in daily, indeed in hourly expectation of a 
renewed attack from the enemy. Although the 
American troops remained upon the field of battle 
antil the 24th, yet the disadvantages of the situa- 
tion, and the continuance of the enemy in their 
first position where they landed, with nearly treble 
his force, induced him to fall back nearer to the 
city. Ofiensive operations, under these circum- 
stantes, would have been rashness bordering upon 
desperation* 



ANDREW JACKSON. 201 

Although from the gallant achievements of his 
troops upon the 23cl, Gen. Jackson had every 
thing to hope from them, yet he did not, as has 
often been the case in modern warfare, consider 
men as ammunition^ to be expended at pleasure, 
to grace the commander with laurels. His lan- 
guage to Mr. Monroe was — '* As the safety of this 
city^ will depend on the fate of this army., it must not 
be incautiously exposed.'''* He selected the most 
advantageous position, upon the east bank of the 
Missisippi, and commenced a system of defence, 
which will forever give him an exalted rank among 
the great commanders of the nineteenth century. 
Although to use his own expressions, for which 
our copious language can with difficulty furnish a 
substitute—" The surest defeme.^ thai seldom fails 
of success, is a rampart of highviinded and brave 
men^^ — he acted in every situation, as if he was 
accountable to his country and his God, for the 
life of every man that was lost, who fought under 
liis standard. 

After the loss of the small flotilla under Lieut. 
Jones, there was no naval defence but the schooner 
Caroline, and she was placed in a situation, which, 
owing to the current of the Missisippi, and the 
course of the winds, rendered her an easy prey 
to the enemy. Her gallant crew, however, defend- 
ed her until the red hot balls thrown from the 
enemy's battery, set her on fire and blew l;tr up, 
upon the 27th. Capt. Patterson and all his offi- 



902 MEMOIRS 0¥ 

\ 

cers and men, immediately placed themselves un- i 
der the- command of Gen. Jackson, and by their ^ 
consummate skill in gunnery, rendered most essen- i 
tial service in the land batteries. I cannot omit a j 
brief extract from Capt. Patterson's letter to the ^ 
navy department, dated 27th Jan. 18 15. — '* I have '■ 
received from all the officers whom 1 have the hon- { 
our to command, every aid and support which could ' 
possibly be rendered. They have been exposed | 
to extraordinary hardships, both by day and night, i 
to all the changes of this unstable clime, in this! 
inclement season of the year ; performing the must | 
arduous duties on shore, out of the line of their i 
profession, independent of their ordinary duties ; • 
and all has been done and executed, with a cheer- 1 
fulness and alacrity that reflects upon them the j 
highest credit ; and that the unwearied exertions of i 
the small naval force on this station, from the first j 
appearance of the enemy, has contributed, in a< 
great degree, to his expulsion, is freely acknowl- 
edged by the gallant general, commanding the land 
forces." The officers mentioned in this letter, are 
Capt. Henley, Lieuts. Alexis, Thompson, Norris, 
and Cunningham ; Mr. Purser Shields, Dr. Morrell, 
sailing-master Dealy, surgeon Heerman, navy-agent 
Smith, Maj. Cormick, commanding the marine 
corps, Mr. Sbephard, aid de-camp, Lieut. Nevitt, 
volunteer ; acting Lieuts. Speddin and M^Keever. 
He further says — « my petty officers, seamen, and \ 
marines, performed their duties to my entire satis^ 
faction." 



ANDREW JACKSON. 203 

' It has already been mentioned that the guti boats, 
commanded by Lieut. Jones, were captured upon 
the l4th, and the commander severely wounded. 
His force was, Gun Boats, Nos. 5, 23, 156, 162, and 
163 — the whole mounting 23 guns, and having 183 
men on board. The British force that attacked 

this little gallant flotilla, consisted of 45 boats 

42 guns, and 1200 men, commanded by Capt. Lock- 
yer, whose Joss in killed and wounded exceeded 
300 men ; and he received three severe wounds 
himself. Upon Lieut. Jones, Capt. Patterson he- 
stows the highest applause ; and most deservedly 
loo; for considering the species of force he had 
under his command, and the immense superiority 
of the enemy, his gallantry is scarcely exceeded by 
any officer in our navy. 

It ought to be mentioned, whenever an opportu- 
nity occurs, as a fact which entitles the commanders 
of the land and naval forces of the Republic, to in- 
finite credit, that in every instance, excepting one, 
where they could act in conjunction in conquering 
the enemy, the utmost harmony prevailed. Gen. 
Harrison and Capt. Perry — Gen. Macomb and 
Capt. Macdonough — Gen. Jackson and Capt Pat- 
terson, went hand in hand to victory. Although 
in the last instance, the captain was compelled to 
leave his chosen element, with his gallant crews, 
he joined the army, and aided in the final victory. 

The various passes at the mouth of the Missi- 
sippi were guarded in the best possible manner, by 



30i MEMOIRS or 

different forts ; and considering the short time al- 
lowed to construct them, and the few men only, 
who could be spared to garrison them, their defen- 
ces entitle the garrisons to the highest applause. 
Maj. Overton, at Fort St. Philips, determining, 
never to surrender, actually nailed the American 
flag to his standard, and resolved that it should 
triumphantly wave over that of Britain, as long as 
a living man remained in the fort to defend it. 
The troops at the mouths of the river, were as 
much inspired with fortitude by the addresses and 
examples of Gen. Jackson, as those under his imme- 
diate command. Having these forts, as well as the 
current of the Missisippi to oppose, the British 
admiral was prevented from bringing any of his 
larger vessels, to co-operate with the land forces, in 
their various attacks upon the American lines. 
Had he been enabled to effect this, it is difficult to 
conceive how the city could have been saved. 

Upon the 24th, Gen. Jackson took his final po- 
sition. It extended in a direct line from the east 
bank of the Missisippi, into the edge of the Cy- 
press Sioamp^ a distance exceeding a mile. For 
the whole distance, the troops almost incessantly 
laboured, and with a vigour worthy of the cause 
that called forth their laborious exertions, in throw- 
ing up a> strong breast work, under tlie protection 
of which they were to be intrenched. From the 
bank of the river to the edge of the Cypress Swamp, 
a distance of very near a mile, the country was 



ANDREW JACKSON. 205 

a perfect plain. The small force under Gen. Jack- 
son, were in full view of the vastly superiour 
force in the British camp. Although they had 
received a check in the brilliant affair of the 23d, 
it would seem to be the result of infatuation itself, 
that they remained unmoved spectators of the 
measures of defence, the American commander 
was taking, which, if prosecuted to completion, 
would render them hopeless of success. It is haz- 
ardous judging from appearances, without a knowl- 
edge of motives ; but the conduct of the British 
army, at this time, would seem to justify the appli- 
cation to them, of a position maintained forages — 
^' Client Dens perdere vulCf prills dementat''' — (whom 
Grod wills to destroy, he first makes mad.) 

Adjoining the river, and in advance of the main 
work, a redoubt was formed to protect the right 
wing of the army, upon which were mounted a 
number of pieces of heavy artillery. Through the 
whole line were mounted, at proper distances, can- 
non from six to thirty two pounders. The breast- 
work was extended from 450 to 500 yards into the 
swamp, to prevent the enemy from turning the left 
wing of the army. This part of the intrenchment, 
was constructed with extreme difficulty, and with 
excessive fatigue; being erected in a morass, almost 
impassable from the depth of the mud and water. 
It was wisely supposed that the British commander 
would conclude that the American intrenchment, 

reached only to the edge of the swamp ; and that 
18 



306 MEMOIRS OF 

he would endeavour to force a passage through it, 
and gain the rear of the American array. At the 
immediate edge of the swamp, an angular indent 
was made in the intrenchment, upon which heavy 
pieces of artillery were placed so as to rake the 
enemy in the swamp, from one side of it, and in the 
open field, from the other. Every hour's labour 
increased the strength of the intrenchment, and 
every event that transpired, augmented the confi- 
dence of the troops. Notwithstanding the rapidly 
increasing security of his small, and to a very con- 
siderable amount, unarmed troops, Gen. Jackson 
endeavoured to provide against every event, that 
could endanger their safety, or that of the city. 
Admitting the possibility that the British army, 
from their great superiority in numbers, and from 
the numerous pieces of heavy ordnance they were 
constantly transporting in barges, from their ship- 
ping to their encampment, might force his lines, 
he dispatched the whole of his unarmed men two 
miles in his rear, to erect another breast work, as a 
rallying point, at no great distance from the city. 
In tliis way, he furnished constant employ for all 
his men, prevented their despondency, and arous- 
ed their courage. 

Gen. Jackson was aware that the enemy's main 
army had not yet, (Dec. 24,) landed, and wholly 
uncertain where they would make a descent, he 
took the same measures to fortify the country on 
the west, or right bank of the river, as he had 



\NDREW JACKSON. 207 

upon the east, or left bank. An intrenchmcnt was 
there tlirown up from the bank of the river, eztend> 
ing west to a swamp, which approaches nearer to 
the river than that upon the east side. Gov. Clai- 
borne and the Louisiana militia, being more per- 
fectly acquainted with the country, were stationed 
on the right bank of the river. The gallant Capt» 
Patterson and his crew had erected a battery 
near the bank of the river, and to the main in- 
trenchmcnt. This intrenchment was about three 
quarters of a mile below that on the left bank ; 
and being supported by Patterson's battery and his 
crew, whose skill in gunnery was evinced in the 
battle of the 23,d, it was supposed as capable of 
sustaining and repelling an assault, as that on the 
left. The command of the right bank of the river, 
was entrusted to Gen. Morgan, and a force placed 
under his command sufficient to render it as secure 
as tlie left. 

The description of the situation of the American 
forces after the 23d, and the measures then resorted 
to for future safety, may be deemed too minute ; 
but it will shortly be shewn that more than two 
thirds of the loss sustained by the Republican army 
in all the severe engagements before New Orleans, 
was suffered in that engagement in the open field. 
Had Gen. Jackson, like a rash commander, led 
his few undisciplined, and badly armed forces, 
to field fight, against the immensely superionr 
force of Sir Edward Fai:enham, furnished with 



208 MEMOIRS OF 

every material and munition of war, it is almost a 
certainty, that he and his army, would have been 
prostrated upon the same plain where that gallant 
general, and so many of his veteran troops were 
mingled with the dust. The great and good Gen 
Jackson, knew that the men he commanded, were 
not mercenary troops, hired by a sanguinary mon- 
arch, to fight and to die at the pleasure of an am- 
bitious commander. His array, though small, con- 
tained the best blood in the adjoining states. 
Fathers were there, exposing their lives for their 
families, and sons were there fighting for their 
fathers. To return them home to a country de- 
fended by their valour, and to restore them to 
blessings secured by their toils, was far more grate- 
ful to his heart, than laurels obtained hy their blood, 
to decorate his brows. 

From the 245th to the 2Bth, the two armies re- 
mained in the position each had taken. Excepting 
the destruction of the schooner Caroline, and oc- 
casional skirmishiDg, nothing was heard but "dread- 
ful notes of preparation. '' Having blown up this 
vesael, which committed such ravages among their 
troops upon the 23cl, and having been reinforced.- 
Sir Edward Pakenham, in person, attacked the 
American lines upon the 28th. The commander 
thus describes tliis engagement, in his report to the 
Secretary of War, 



ANDREW JACKSON. 209 

GEN. JACKSON TO HON. JAMES MONROE. 

Head Quarters, 7th military district. 
Camp below JVew Orleans^ 29th Dec. 1814. 

Sir — The enemy succeeded on the 27th, in blow- 
ing up the Caroline, (she being becalmed)by means 
of hot shot from a land battery which he had erect- 
ed in the night. Emboldened by this event, he 
marched his whole force the next day, up the level, 
in the hope of driving us from our position, and 
with this view, opened upon us, at the distance of 
about half a mile, his bombs and rockets. He was 
repulsed, however, with considerable loss — not 
less, it is believed, than 120 in killed. Oiir^s was 
inconsiderable — not exceeding half a dozen in 
killed, and a dozen wounded. 

Since then he has not ventured to repeat his at 
tempt, though lying close together. There has 
been frequent skirmishing between our picquets. 

I lament that I have not the means of carrying 
on more ofTensive operations. The Kentucky 
troops have not arrived, and my effective force, at 
this point, does not exceed 30(X). Tlieir*s must be 
at least double — both prisoners and deserters 
agreeing in the statement, that 7000 landed from 
their boats. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

In this brief account, it is mentioned that rockets 
and bombs were sent from the British army into the 
American lines. Bombs have long been known 



210 MEBIOJRS OF 



to our countrymen ; and although they sometimes 
occasion accidents, they never excite terror. \ 
Rockets are of recent invention ; and the glory of i 
having invented them is forever secured by royal \ 
favour, to an English statesman by the name of ] 
Congrcvc. They are called " Congreve rockets ;" | 
and as long as Englislimen are permitted to spread • 
havock and devastation through the world, tlie 
name oi i\\t humaiic inventor will sound and shine \ 
through it. ^lon?>\t\xx Gidllotin is entitled to the \ 
same kind of glory for having invented an imple- i 
ment of death, which bears his name, and to whicli '\ 
he fell a victim himself. JMr. Congreve may die a \ 
natural death. Gen. Jackson's intrenchraent had ; 
already acquired too much strength, and his " ram- ? 
part of high minded and brave men," too much \ 
confidence to be affected with any thing but solid | 
iron or lead. 

Sir Edward found in this, his first esssay, in the 
western world, that he had to contend witli otli- 
er soldiers than tliose of despots, who detest the 
power they fight for. He had to contend with Re- 
publican Freemen, each of whom had sacred rights 
to defend ; and who were ready to sacrifice their 
.'ives, In defence of their beloved Republic. 

From the 28th to the Jst January, the enemy 
were incessantly engaged in strengthening their 
force by transporting heavy pieces of artillery from 
their shipping to their lines. The Americans were 
no less industriously engaged in preparing to de- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 211 

fend their's against the most furious onset that 
could be made. 

Upon the 1st January, the enemy pushed for- 
^vard the whole of their heavy artillery, and at the 
same time, with bombs and rockets, commenced an 
attack upon the whole line, from the Missisippi to 
the Cypress Swamp. They were immediately an- 
swered by the heavy messengers of death that were 
planted upon the extensive intrenchment, and by 
the rifles and muskets that were wielded by the 
troops who were secured behind it. The battle 
raged until the approach of darkness induced the 
British assailants, to retire to their lines for safety. 
The enemy were repulsed with great loss ; but 
having carried their dead and wounded from the 
field, the number could not be ascertained. The 
loss of the Americans was — killed 11 — wounded 23 
—Total 34. 

Convinced that an attack in line, could not be 
made with any hopes of success, they next attempt- 
ed to turn the left wing of the army, by means of a 
battery they had erected in the night season, and 
in a foggy morning, in the edge of the Swamp. Con- 
fident of accomplishing this object— as the sun ap- 
peared through the fog, to their utter astonishment 
and consternation, they found the American in- 
irenchraent completed 300 yards beyond their bat- 
tery in the Swamp, and the gallant Gen. Coffee and 
his Tennessee Volunteers ready to repel them. 
Their battery was destroyed— many lives were lost. 



212 MEMOIRS OP 

and the assailants precipitately retreated to their 
camp. 

By these repeated attempts, and as often unsnc- 
cessful ones, the British commander was experi* 
mentally convinced, that some mode yet unessayed, 
must be adopted to gain a victory which his coun- 
trymen expected, and everj Americans feared, he 
would obtain. No British commander in chief, 
since the capture of Lord Cornwallis and his army, 
by VV^ashington, which terminated the war of the 
Revolution, had a duty of more peril and impor- 
tance to perform, than had Sir Edward Pakenhara, 
before New Orleans. Had he gained a victory 
over Gen. Jackson, as Wellington did over Napo- 
leon, he would as well have been entitled to a 
dukedom. He resolved not to despair, but to make 
another desperate effort, to acquire equal glory in 
the western, as Arthur Wellesley has in the eastern 
world. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 2l3 



CHAPTER XV. 

Gen. Jackson's, and Sir Edward Pakenham's armies from the 1st, 
to the 8th January — Gen. Morgan's lines — Battle of the 8th 
January — Gen. Jackson's report of it — Gen. Morgan's retreat — 
Gen. Jackson's address to the armies — he regains the right 
bank of the Missisippi — Bombardment, and attack upon Fort 
St. Philips — Maj. Overton's report to Gen. Jackson. 

THE rival armies — the one under the standard 
of the Eagle, the other under that of the Lyoji, for 
a short period gazed at each other in silent majesty. 
The armies of the Prince Regent, having met with 
nothing but disasters, during the whole campaign 
of J8I4, had concentrated their forces with the 
navy, before New Orleans, with a determination 
to wipe olT the disgrace they had incurred, by a 
series of almost uninterrupted defeats. The histo- 
ry of some of their achievements thus far, has ne- 
cessarily been blended with the Memoirs of Gen. 
Jackson. From no army sent to America, since 
the commencement of the war of the revolution, 
to this period, had sanguinary Englishmen expect- 
ed so much, as from this. One of the first officers 
under Wellington, Sir Edward Pakenhara, was 
selected as its commander. Major-generals Keane, 
Gibbs, and Lambert, were generals of divisions. 
Most of the troops were those who had followed 
them, in their victorious career through the Pyren- 
oees, into the heart of France, and who had assist^ 



214 MEMOIRS or 

ed iu gaining victories over the first Marshals in Eu- 
rope. In these considerations, may be found the 
reasons for the desperation, not to say infatuation, 
of the British officers, after they landed in Louisia- 
na They seemed to have adopted the sentiment of 
Napoleon, in the days of his glory, that " troops who 
had always conquered, will continue to conquer." 
Gen. Jackson, undismayed, and apparently un- 
concerned, instead of concealing himself in his 
head quarters in the rear of his intrenchmcnt, was 
constantly with his officers and troops, encour- 
aging them by his example, animating them by 
his presence, and arousing their patriotism by the 
most impassioned eloquence. Upon the 4th, the 
Kentucky militia arrived, under Gen. Thomas 
and Gen. Adair. They amounted to about twen- 
ty three hundred ; but they brought very little 
with them, excepting hearts glowing with patriotic 
ardour. But little disciplined, and almost without 
arms, as the general remarked to the Secretary of 
War — " My forces, as to number had been cncreased 
— my strcngthy had received but very little addi-1 
tion." The city of New Orleans had been almost; 
completely stripped of arms, to furnish the Louisia- 
na militia, and the United States' arms which were ; 
known to be in the Missisippi, by some unaccoun- 
table neglect, had not yet arrived. The unarmed 
troops, however, were immediately placed in situa- 
tions to be the most serviceable in strengthening 
the main intrenchment, and forwarding the one 
two miles in the rear. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 2l5 

The reader is referred to the description of the 
American intrenchments on each side of the Mis- 
sisippi, in the preceding chapter. Gen. Jackson, 
had so divided his forces, as to render the one as se- 
cure as the other. The British commander, resol- 
ved, as appeared from an order found in the pocket 
of a slain British ofEcerj and by his subsequent 
measures, to attack both lines simultaneously. 
This was anticipated by Gen. Jackson, and mea- 
sures were taken accordingly. Gen. Morgan, on 
the right bank of the river, was aided by the consum- 
mate skill and courage of Capt. Patterson, whose 
battery was so situated as to protect his iines, and 
annoy the enemy in the most effectual manner. 
A detachment of choice Kentucky troops was also 
passed over the river, to give him additional 
strength. Gen. Jackson's forces were thus sta- 
tioned — The regular troops in the redoubt, and on 
the right next to the river — Gen. Carroll's Tennes- 
see militia, and Gen. Adair's Kentucky militia, in 
the centre — and Gen. Colfee's brigade upon the 
left, which penetrated some distance into the Cy- 
press Swamp. 

The British army had been reinforced by the 
landing of Maj. Gen. Lambert's division. It has 
been ascertained to be an undoubted fact, that from 
the time the British commenced the landing of 
troops below New Orleans, the full amount of 14,000 
men, had been placed under the command of 
Sir Edward Pakenham. It is impossible to deter- 



216 MEMOIRS OF 

mine how many had been lost in the several en- 
gagements, from the 23d December, to the 8th 
January, or how many, upon that day, were upon 
the sick list. It would not however, be deemed 
improbable, to conclude that from 10 to 12,000, 
were engaged, about double the effective force of 
Gen. Jackson. 

Early upon the morning of the 8th January, 1815, 
a day which will forever be memorable in Ameri- 
can and British annals, a tremendous " shower of 
bombs and Congreve rockets," from the British 
army, announced the battle begun. The result 
will be found in the following reports, of the 
American Conqueror. 

GEN. JACKSON TO HON. JAMES MONROE. 
Camp 4 miles below Aew OrleanSf 9th January, 1815. 
Sir — During the days of the Gth and 7th, the ene- 
my had been actively employed in making prepara- 
tions for an attack on my lines. With infinite la- 
bour, they had succeeded on the night of the 7th, 
in getting their boats across from the lake to the 
river, by widening and deepening the canal on 
which they had effected their disembarkation. It 
had not been in my power to impede these opera- I 
tions by a general attack : added to other reasons, i 
the nature of the troops under my connnand, mostly J 
militia, rendered it too hazardous to attempt exten- i 
sive offensive movements in an open country, against 



ANDREW JACKSON. 217 

a numerous and well disciplined army. Although 
my forces, as to number, had been increased by the 
arrival of the Kentucky division, my strength had 
received very little addition ; a small portion only 
of that detachment being provided with arras^ 
Compelled thus to wait the attack of the enemy, I 
took every measure to repel it, when it should be 
made, and to defeat the object he had in view. 
Gen. Morgan, with the New Orleans contingent, 
the Louisiana militia, and a strong detachment of 
the Kentucky troops, occupied an intrenched camp 
on the opposite side of the river, protected by 
strong batteries on the bank, erected and superin- 
tended by Com. Patterson. 

In my encampment, every thing was ready for 
action, when, early on the morning of the 8th, the 
enemy, after throwing a heavy shower of bombs and 
Congreve^ rockets, advanced their columns on my 
right and left, to storm my intrenchments. lean- 
not speak sufficiently in praise of the firmness and 
deliberation, with which my whole line received 
their approach — more could not have been expec- 
ted from veterans inured to war. For an hour, the 
fire of the small arms was as incessant and severe as 
can be imagined. The artillery, too, directed by 
officers who displayed equal skill and courage, did 
great execution. Yet the columns of the enemy 
continued to advance, with a firmness which re- 
flects upon them the greatest credit. Twice, the 

column which approached me on my left, was re- 
19 



"218 MEMOIRS OF 

pulsed by the troops of Gen. CarroH, those of Geo. 
Coffee, and a division of the Kentucky militia, and 
twice they formed again and renewed the assault. 
At length however, cut to pieces, they fled in con- 
fusion from the field, leaving it covered with their 
dead and wounded. The loss which the enemy 
sustained on this occasion, cannot be estimated at 
less than 1500 in killed, wounded, and prisoners. 
Upwards of three hundred have already been de- 
livered over for burial ; and my men are still en- 
gaged in picking them up within my lines, and car- 
rying them to the point where the enemy are to 
receive them. This is in addition to the dead and 
wounded, wdiora the enemy have been enabled to 
carry from the field, during, and since the action, 
and to those who have since died of the wounds 
they received. We have taken about 500 prison- 
ers, upwards of 300 of whom are wounded, and a 
great part of them mortally. My loss has not ex- 
ceeded, an4 I believe has not amounted to, ten kil- 
led, and as many wounded. The entire destruction 
of the enemy's army was now inevitable, had it not 
been for an unfortunate occurrence, which at this 
moment took place on the other side of the river. 
Simultaneously with his advance upon my lines, he 
had thrown over in his boats, a considerable force 
to the other side of the river. These having landed 
■.v^ere hardy enough to advance against the works 
of Gen. Morgan ! and what is strange and difficult 
to account for, at the very moment when their en- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 219 

tire discomfiture was looked for with a confidence 
approaching to certainty, the Keiituciiy reinforce- 
ments, ingloriously fled, drawing after them, by 
their example, the remainder of the forces ; and 
thus yielding to the enemy that most fortunate po- 
sition. The batteries which had rendered me, 
for many days, the most important service, though 
bravely defended, were of course now abandoned ; 
not however, until the guns had been spiked. 

This unfortunate route, had' totally changed the 
aspect of aflairs. The enemy now occupied a 
position from which they might annoy us without 
hazard, and by means of which they might have 
been enabled to defeat, in a great measure, the 
effects of our success on this side the river. It 
became therefore, an object of the first consequence 
to dislodge him as soon as possible. For this 
object, all the means in my power, which I could 
with any safety use, were immediately put in pre- 
paration. Perhaps, however, it was somewhat 
owing to another cause, that I succeeded, beyond 
my expectations. In negoeiating the terms of a 
temporary suspension of hostilities, to enable the 
enemy to bury their dead, and provide for thsir 
wounded, I had required certain propositions to be 
acceded to as a basis ; among which this was one-— 
that although hostilities should cease on this side 
the river until 12 o'clock of this day, yet it was not 
to be understood, that they should cease on the 
other side; b^it that no reinforcements should be 



220 MEMOIRS OF 

sent across by either army, until the expiration of 
that day. His excellency Maj. Gen. Lambert, 
begged time to consider of those propositions until 
10 o'clock of to-day, and in the mean time re-cross- 
ed his troops. I need not tell you with how much 
eagerness I immediately regained possession of the 
position he had thus hastily quitted. 

The enemy having concentrated his forces, may 
again attempt to drive me from my position, by 
storm. Whenever he doeSi I have no doubt my 
men will act with their usual firmness, and sustain 
a character now become dear to them. 

I have the honour, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

It will be noticed in this account, that Gen. Jack- 
son, while he bestows the most unqualified appro- 
bation upon his own brave troops, does not omit to 
declare, that the " columns of the enemy continued 
to advance with a firmness which reflects upon 
them the highest credit." A brave man is always 
generous to a brave foe ; and although a fallen one, 
withholds from him no credit that is justly his due. 
The general estimates the loss of the enemy, at 
scarcely half what it really was ; for although the 
Inspector-general . makes it 2,600, subse- 

quent acknowledgments from British prisoners, 
make it exceed 3000, 

The agitation felt by the general, at the loss of 
the important post, on the right bank of the river. 



ANDREW JACKSON. "" 221 

under Gen. Morgan, is clearly discoverable in the 
language he uses ; and it has been said that he 
was too severe in saying, " The Kentucky rein- 
forcements ingloriously fled." He immediately 
delivered to them the following elegant address, in 
which he gives them the fullest credit, for courage, 
except in this instance. 

" While, by the blessing of heaven, one of the 
most brilliant victories was obtained by the troops 
under my immediate command, no words can ex- 
press the mortification I felt, at witnessing the 
scene exhibited on the opposite bank. I will spare 
your feelings and my own, nor enter into a detail 
on the subject. To all who reflect, it must be a 
source of eternal regret, that a few moments' ex- 
ertion of that courage you certainly possess, was 
alone wanting to have rendered your success more 
complete, than that of your fellow citizens in this 
camp. To what cause was the abandonment of 
your lines owing ? To fear ? no ! You are the 
countrymen, the friend, the brothers of those who 
have secured to themselves, by their courage, the 
gratitude of their country ; who have been prodi- 
gal of blood in its defence, and who are strangers 
to any other fear than disgrace — to disaftection to 
our glorious cause. No, my countrymen, your gen- 
eral does justice to the pure sentiments by which 
you are inspired. How then could brave men, 
firm in the cause in which they were enrolled, ne- 
glect their first duty, and abandon the post commit 
19 ^ 



222 MEMOIRS OF 

ted to their care ? The v/ant of discipline, the want 
of order, the total disregard to ohedience, and a spi- 
rit of insubordination, not lessdestructive thancovt'- 
ardice itself, are the causes which led to this dis- 
aster, and they must be eradicated, or I must cease 
to command. I desire to be distinctly understood, 
that every breach of orders, ail want of discipline, 
every inattention of duty, will be seriously and 
promptly punished ; that the attentive officers, and 
u;ood soldiers, may not be mentioned in the dis- 
grace and danger, which the negligence of a few 
may produce. Soldiers ! you want only the will? 
in order to emulate the glory of your fellow-citizens 
on this bank of the river — You have the same mo- 
tives for action — the same interest — the same coun- 
try to protect : and you have an additional interest, 
from past events, to wipe off reproach, and show 
that you will not be inferior, in the day of trial, to 
any of your countrymen. 

But remember, without obedience, without order, 
without descipline, all your efforts are vain. The 
brave man^ inattentive to his duty, is worth little 
more to his country, than the coward who deserts 
her in the hour of danger. 

Private opinions, as to the competency of officers, 
must not be indulged, and still less expressed, 
tt is impossible that the measures of those who 
vcommaud, should satisfy all who are bound to 
obey ; and one of the most dangerous faults in a 
soldier, is a disposition to criticise and blame 



ANDREW JACKSON. 233 

the orders and characters of his super iours. Sol- 
diers ! I know that many of you have done your 
duty ; and I trust in future, that I shall have no 
reason to make any exception. Officers ! I have 
the fullest confidence that you will enforce obedi- 
ence to your commands ; but above all, that by 
subordination in your different grades, you will set 
an example to your men ; and that hereafter, the 
army of the right will yield to none, in the essential 
qualities which characterize good soldiers — that 
they will earn their share of those honours and 
rewards, which their country will prepare for its 
deliver ers.^^ 

Gen. Jackson, took immediate measures to re- 
gain by force, the important post on the right 
bank of the Missisippi ; but ever anxious to spare 
the effusion of human blood, he obtained it by ne- 
gociation^ as mentioned in his letter to the Secretary 
ofAVar. Therelinquishraent of this post, seems to 
be the result of that infatuation which evinced 
itself in every measure of the British commanders, 
after they landed in Louisiana. Had they aban- 
doned the east side of the river, and concentrated 
their forces upon the west, with the immense quan- 
tity of heavy artillery in their possession, they would 
have had the exclusive command of the country to 
Nev/ Orleans ; and what could then have saved 
the city, must be left to conjecture. Hence the 
solicitude of Gen. Jackson, to regain it ; hence 
too, his excessive mortification at it.s temporary loss. 



224 MEMOIRS OF 

Notwithstanding this unparalleled victory obtain- 
ed, it appears from the following letter, that the 
general acted as if the enemy were preparing '* to 

make a still mightier ejj'ort to attain his first object.^'* 

GEN. JACKSON TO HON. JAMES MONROE. 

Head Quarters, Camp 4 miles below 
JVew OrleanSy Jan. 13th, 1815. 

Sir At such a crisis, I conceive it my duty, to 

keep you constantly advised of my situation. 

On the 10th instant, I forwarded you an account 
of the bold attempt made by the enemy, on the 
morning of the 8th, to take possession of my works 
by storm, and of the severe repulse which he met 
with. That report having been sent by the mail 
which crosses the lake, may possibly have miscar- 
ried ; for whicli reason, I think it the more neces- 
sary, briefly to repeat the substance of it. 

Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy hav- 
ing been actively employed the two preceding days, 
in making preparations for a storm, advanced m 
two strong columns on my right and left. They 
were received however with a firmness which it 
seems they little expected, and which defeated all 
their hopes. My men, undisturbed by their ap- 
proach, which indeed they long anxiously wished 
for, opened upon them a fire, so deliberate and cer- 
tain, as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, 
as well as their more direct implements of warfare, 
perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was 



ANDRKW JACKSON, 225 

continued with a briskness of which there have 
been but few instances, perhaps, in any country. 
Injustice to the enemy, it must be said, they with- 
stood it as long as could be expected, from the 
most determined bravery. At length, however, 
when all prospect of success became hopeless, they 
fled in confusion from the field, leaving it covered 
with their dead and wounded. Their loss was 
immense. I had at first computed it at 1600 ; but 
it is since ascertained to have been much greater. 
Upon information, which is believed to be correct. 
Col. ":., the Inspector-general, reports it to 

be in total 2600. His report I enclose you. My 
loss was inconsiderable, being only 7* killed, and 
6 wounded. Such a disproportion in loss, when 
,we consider the number and the kind of troops en- 
gaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may 
not every where be fully credited ; yet I am per- 
fectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated 
on the one part, nor underrated on the other. 

The enemy having hastily quitted a post, which 
they had gained possession of, on the other side of 
the river, and we, having immediately returned to 
it, both armies at present, occupy their former po- 
sitions. Whether, after the severe losses he has 
sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, 
or to make still mightier efforts to attain his first 
object, 1 do not pretend to determine. It becomes 

• This was in the action on the line — afterwards a skirmishing' 
\yas kept up, in which a few more of our men were lost. 



,326 MEMOIRS OF 

me to act as though the latter were his intentioii« 
One thing however, seems certain, that if he still 
calculates on effecting what he has hitherto been 
unable to accomplish, he must expect considerable 
reinforcements ; as the force with which he land- 
ed must be undoubtedly diminished, by at least 
3000. Besides the loss which he sustained, on 
the night of the 23d ult. which is estimated at 
400, he cannot have suffered less between that 
period, and the morning o^ the 8th inst.than 3000 — 
having, within that time, boen repulsed in two 
general attempts to drive us from our position, and 
there having been continual cannonading and skir- 
mishing, during the whole of it Yet he is still 
able to shew a very formidable force. 

There is no doubt that the commanding general, 
Sir Edward Pakenham, was killed, in the action 
of the 8th, and that Major generals Keane, and 
Gibbs, were badly wounded. 

Whenever a more leisure moment shall occur, 
I will take the liberty to make and forward you 
a more circumstantial account, of the several ac- 
tions, and particularly that of the 8th, in doing 
which, my chief motive will be to render justice to 
those brave men I have the honour to command, 
and who have so remarkably distinguished them- 
selves. 

I have the honour, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 227 

The rival armies upon the 9th, were restored to 
tlicir former positions ; and both were ignorant of 
the intentions of each other. Sir Edward Paken- 
ham being slain, and Generals Keane and Gihbs, 
being, the one mortally, and the other severely 
wounded, were compelled, the one to languish and 
die, the other to languish and barely survive. 
The command devolved upon Maj Gen. Lambert. 
The deep penetration of Gen. Jackson, might 
well lead him to suppose that Gen. Lambert, and 
Col. Thornton, (who had once conquered on the 
right bank of the river) would unite their " mightier 
efjorts," to conquer on the east. Ever vigilant, 
and never remiss, he relaxed not in the least 
from his former energy. The plains of Capita^ 
after a victory, and the luxurious Indulgence of 
the fruits of conquest upon them, proved to be 
the destruction of Hannibal and his array. Gen. 
Jackson was resolved, that the banks of the Mis- 
sisippi should not prove so to him, and his pat- 
riotic companions. 

While every exertion was made to prepare for 
another attack, the distant thunder of cannon, an- 
nounced to the armies, the operations of the pow- 
erful British naval force at the mouth of the Mis- 
sisippi. From the official report of Maj. Overton, 
to Gen. Jackson, it may be concluded that Admiral 
Cochrane, and Sir Edward Pakenham, had agreed 
to commence final operations at the same time — 
the one to capture New Orleans, the other, to des- 



MEMOIRS OF 

troy the American forts at the mouth of the river. 
Upon the memorable 8th January, a squadron of the 
British naval force appeared before Fort St. Philips. 
Gen. Jackson, thus writes to the Secretary at 
War — *« I have the honour to inclose you Maj. 
Overton's report, of the attack of Fort St. PhiJips, 
and of the manner in which it was defended. 
The conduct of that officer, and of those who 
acted under him, merits, I think, great praise. 
They nailed their own colours to the standard, and 
placed those of the enemy underneath them, deter- 
mined never to surrender the fort." The following 
is the report alluded to by the general. 

MAJ. W. H. OVERTON TO GEN JACKSON. 

Fort St. Philips, January 19, 1815. 

Sir — On the first of the present month, I receiv- 
ed the information, that the enemy intended pas- 
sing this fort, to co-operate with their land forces, 
in the subjugationof Louisiana, and the destruction 
of New Orleans. To effect this with more facility, 
they were first, with their heavy bomb vessels, to 
bombard this place into compliance. On the 
grounds of this information, I turned my attention 
to the security of ray command. I erected small 
magazin2s in different parts of the garrison, that 
i f one blew up, I could resort to another ; built 
covers for my men, to secure them from the explo- 
sion of the shells, and removed the combustible 
matter without the work. Early in the day of 
the 8th inst. I was advised of their ap^iroach, and 



ANDREW JACKSON. 229 

on the 9th, at a quarter past 10, A. M. hove in sight, 
two bomb vessels, one sloop, one brig, and one 
schooner ; they anchored two and one quarter miles 
below — at half past eleven, and at haJf past twelve, 
they advanced two barges, apparently for the pur- 
pose of sounding within one and a half miles of 
the fort. At this moment, I ordered my water 
battery, under the command of Lieut. Cunning- 
ham of the navy, to open upon them ; its well di- 
rected shot, caused a precipitate retreat. At half 
past three o'clock, P. M. the enemy's bomb vessels 
opened their fire, from four sea- mortars, two of 
thirteen inches, two of ten, and to my great morti- 
fication, I found they were without the effective 
range of my shot, as many subsequent experiments 
proved. They continued their fire, with little in- 
termission, during the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 
15th, ICth, and i7th. I occasionally opened my bat- 
teries on them with great vivacity, particularly when 
they showed a disposition to change their position. 
On the 17th, in the evening, our heavy mortar 
was said to be in readiness. I ordered that excel- 
lent officer, Capt.. Wolstoucroft, of the artillerists, 
who previously had charge of it, to open a fire, 
which was done with great effect, as the enemy 
from that moment became disordered, and at day- 
light on the 18th, commenced their retreat, after 
having thrown upwards of a thousand heavy shells, 
besides shells from howitzers, round shot and grape, 
2^0 



230 MEMOIRS OF 

which he dicharged from boats, under cover of the 
uight. 

Our loss in this affair has been uncommonly small, 
owing entirely to the great pains that were taken by 
the different officers, to keep their men under cover ; 
as the enemy left scarcely ten feet of this garrison 
untouched. 

The officers and soldiers through this whole af- 
fair, although nine days and nights under arms, in 
the different batteries, the consequent fatigue and 
loss of sleep, have manifested the greatest firmness 
and the most zealous warmth to beat the enemy. 
To distinguish individuals, would be a delicate task, 
as merit was conspicuous every where. Lieut. Cun- 
ningham of the navy, who commanded oiy water bat- 
tery, with his brave crew, evinced the most determin- 
ed bravery, and uncommon activity throughout ; in 
fact. Sir, the only thing to be regretted, is, that the 
enemy was too timid to give us an opportunity of 
destroying him. 

I herewith enclose you, a list of the killed and 
wounded. 1 am Sir, very respectfully, 

W. H, OVERTON. 
The loss of the Americans, from ihe official report, 

was killed 2 — wounded 7 — Total 9 Nothing but 

the immense importance of the post he commanded, 
can justify Maj. Overton in nailing his colours to his 
standard. Even the praise of Gen. Jackson, cannot 
wholly exculpate a commander for an act, which 
might have led to the sacrifice of his whole garrison by 

a force, to contend with w^hich, would have been 
desperation. 



ANDREW JACKSON. ^3l 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Situation of the armies after the battle of the 8tU January — Melan- 
choly and distressing scene — Operations at the mouth of the 
Missisippi — Departure of the enemy — Gen. Jackson's address 
to the American troops — Disparity in the loss of the two armies. 

ALTHOUGH the American array under Gen. 
Jackson, and the British arniy under Gen. Lambert, 
remained in full view of each other, from the 9th, 
to the 18th, no hostile military operations took place 
between them, during that time. The first were 
preparing for a renewed attack, enjoying the re- 
pose their valour had rendered secure, and which 
many days of excessively hard labour, and a num- 
ber of severe fighting, rendered peculiarly neces- 
sary. The last were employed in discharging the 
most melancholy duties of the camp. The sol- 
diers were engaged in depositing in the bosom of 
the earth, their slain comrades, who had for many 
days previous, fought by their sides upon its sur- 
face, and assuaging the distresses of the woun- 
ded who yet survived. Humanity must weep over 
such a scene ; and in the death and anguish of 
the gallant, and comparatively innocent soldiers 
of England, for a season forget the wicked cause 
in which they fell— the cause of tyranny against 
freedom. Even the patriotic soldiers of our belov- 
ed Republic, in beholding tke banks of the majestic 
Missisippi, converted into an outspread sepulchre 



232 MEMOIRS OF 

for veteran foemcn, who had one common origin 
with themselves, must have dropped a manly tear. 
But how soon will reflection compel them to pour 
forth the most indignant imprecations against the 
British Government, whose systematic injustice 
first occasioned the war, and against the Britisli 
officers, whose Vandalism and barbarity, even char- 
ity itself can never forgive. It must crimson with 
a blush every Englishman, who reads the history 
of the nineteenth century, when he finds it re- 
corded, that an oflicer, the pride of England, con- 
fident of capturing one of the finest cities in Amer- 
ica, gave as a countersign, upon the day his army 
was to ^nter it — " Booty and Beauty ! !" The 
hard earnings of patient industry, were to be ra- 
vished from the defenceless citizens, and their wives 
and daughters to be subjected to the diabolical lust 
of a full-gorged soldiery. The innocent and ac- 
\:ompIished females, of New Orleans, who had spent 
days of labour, and nights of watchfulness, in alle- 
7iating the toils of their valiant coutrymen, while 
stationed under the banners of the Republic, were 
to suffer more than ten thousand deaths could in- 
flict, before the very eyes of those who had blessed 
them for their bounty, but who could no longer 
extend to them protection. Well may the English 
reader exclaim with an ancient poet — *' ^uis tent- 
peret a lachrymis, talia fando,^ (who can refrain 
from tears in relating &^Jch deeds ;) and well may 



ANDREW JACKSON. 23S 

the patriotic sons of Columbia, when thinking of 

their implacable enemy, resolve to be, 

** Fire to fire, flint to flint, and to outface 
" The brow of brag-ging horror." 

It would seem that Gen. Lambert, had determi- 
ned to maintain his position upon the Missisippi, 
until he learned the result of the naval operations 
at its mouth. Upon the I7th, Capt. Wolstoncroft, 
of the artillerists, having taken a position which 
brought the British shipping within the range 
of his mortar, immediately threw them into disor- 
der, and compelled them to retire. Upon the 18th, 
Gen. Lambert, having had time to receive this 
discouraging intelligence, decamped in the night 
season, as appears from the following official com- 
munication. 

GEN. JACKSON, TO HON. JAMES MONROE. 

Camp below JVevy Orleans^ 19th Jan. 1815. 

Last night at 12 o'clock, the enemy precipitate 
ly decamped and returned to their boats, leaving 
behind him under medical attendance, eighty of 
his wounded, including two officers, 14 pieces of 
his heavy artillery, and a quantity of shot, having 
destroyed much of his powder. Such was the situa- 
tion of the ground he abandoned, and of that 
through which he retired, protected by canals, re- 
doubts, i n trench me nts, and swamps on his right, 
and the river on his left, that I could not without 
encountering a risk, which true policy did not seem 
20* 



234) MEMOIRS OP 

to require, or to authorize, attempt to annoy him 
much on his retreat. We took only eight prisoners. 

Whether, it is the purpose of tlie enemy to aban- 
don the expedition altogether, or renesv his efforts 
atsomeother point, I do not pretend to determine 
with positiveness. In my own mind, however, 
there is but Jittle doubt, that his last exertions have 
been made in this quarter ; at any rale for the pre- 
sent season, and by the neat^ I hope we shall be ful- 
1}^ prepared for him. In this belief, lam strength- 
ened not only by the prodigious loss he has sus- 
tained at the position he has just quitted, but by 
the failure of his fleet to pass Fort St. Thilips. 

His loss on the ground, since the debarkation of 
his troops, as stated by the last prisoners and desert- 
ers, and as confirmed by many additional circum- 
stances, must have exceeded four thousand ; and 
was greater in the action of the 8th, than was esti- 
mated, from the most correct data, then in his pos- 
session, by the inspector general, whose report has 
been forwarded to you. We succr.eded, on the 8th, 
in getting from the enemy about 1000 stand of 
arms of various descriptions. 

Since the action of the 8th, the enemy have been 
allowed very little respite — -my artillery from both 
sides of the river, being constantly employed, till 
the night, and indeed until the hour of their retreat, 
in annoying them. No doubt they thought it quite 
time to quit a position in which so little rest could 
be found. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 235 

I am advised by Maj. Overton, who commands at 
Fort St. Philips, in a letter of the 18th, that the 
enemy having bombarded his fort for 8 or 9 days, 
from 13 inch mortars, without effect, had, on the 
morning of that day, retired. I have little doubt 
that he would have been able to liave sunk their 
vessels, had they attempted to run by. 

Giving the proper weight to all these considera- 
tions, I believe you will not think me too sanguine 
in the belief, that Louisiana^ is now clear of its 
enemy. I hope, however, I need not assure you, 
that wherever / command^ such a I^elief shall never 
occasion any relaxation in the measures for resist- 
ance. I am but too sensible, that the moment 
when the enemy is opposing us, is not the most 
proper to provide for them. 

I have the honour to be, &c. 

ANDREW JACKSON. 

P. S. On the ISth, our prisoners onshore were 
delivered us, an exchange having been previously 
agreed to. Those who are ©n board the fleet, will 
be delivered at Petit Coquille — after which, I shall 
still have in my hands an excess of several hundred. 

20th — Mr. Shields, purser in the navy, has to- 
day taken 54 prisoners ; among them are four offi- 
cers. A, J. 

Thus ended the expedition of the British army, 
against the city of New Orleans— thus ended the 
demonstration of the British naval force, against 



i36 MEMOIRS OF 

the forts at the mouth of the Missisippi. The de- 
tail of events which took place in this interesting 
and important section of the Republic, have ne- 
cessarily been blended with the Memoirs of Gen. 
Jackson. Indeed, they are identified with each 
other — he was the first motion of every movement. 
The deeply interesting scenes through which 
Gen. Jackson, his army, and the citizens of New 
Orleans were called to pass from the IGth Decem- 
ber, 1814, to the 18th January, 18 J 5, would furnish 
subjects for a volume far more extended than the 
whole of this little work. In a few pages I have 
endeavoured to present the reader with the promi- 
nent facts connected with these great events. That 
they were derived from sources indisputably accu- 
rate, I have the most confident assurance. A brief 
recapitulation would be attempted, were it not in 
my power to furnish the reader with the elegant 
and impressive address of Gen. Jackson to his 
troops upon the 2lst January, which follows. 

ADDRESS, 

Directed by Maj. Gen. Jackson, to be read at the head of each 
of the corps composing" the line below New Orleans, Jan. 21, 
1815. 

Citizens, and fellow soldiers J The enemy has 
retreated, and your general has now leisure to pro- 
claim to the world what he has noticed with admi- 
ration and pride — your undaunted courage, your 
patriotism, and patience, under hardships and fa- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 331^ 

iigues. Natives of different states, acting/together 
for the first time in this camp ; differing in habits 
and in language, instead of viewing in these cir. 
cumstances, the germ of distrust and division, you 
have made them the source of an honourable emu- 
lation, and from the seeds of discord itself, have 
reaped the fruits of an honourable union. This 
day completes the fourth week, since fifteen hun- 
dred of you attacked treble your number of men, 
who had boasted of their discipline and their ser- 
vices under a celebrated leader, in a long and 
eventful war — attacked them in their camp, the 
moment they had profened the soil of freedom, with 
their hostile tread, and inflicted a blow which was 
a prelude to the final result of their attempt to con- 
quer, or their poor contrivances to divide us. A 
few hours was sufficient to unite the gallant band, 
though at the moment they received the welcome 
order to march, they were separated many leagues, 
in different directions from the city. The gay ra- 
pidity of the march, and the cheerful countenances 
of the officers and men, would have induced a belief 
that some festive entertainment, not the strife of 
battle, was the scene to which they hastened with 
so much eagerness and hilarity. In the conflict 
that ensued, the same spirit was supported, and my 
communications, to the executive of the U. States, 
have testified the sense I entertained of the merits 
of the corps and officers that were engaged. Rest- 
ing on the field of battle, they retired in perfect or- 



238 MEMOIRS OP 

der on the next morning to these lines, destined to 
become the scene of future victories, which they 
were to share with the rest of you, my brave com- 
panions in arms. Scarcely were your lines a pro- 
tection against musket shot, when on the 28th, a 
disposition was made to attack them with all the 
pomp and parade of military tactics, as improved 
by those veterans of the Spanish war. 

Their batteries of heavy cannon kept up an 
Incessant fire ; their rockets illuminated the air ; 
and under their cover, two strong columns threat- 
ened our tianks. The foe insolently thought that 
this spectacle was too imposing to be resisted, and 
in the intoxicatien of his pride, he already saw our 
lines abandoned without a contest — how were these 
menacing appearances met ? By shouts of defi- 
ance, by a manly countenance, not to be shaken 
by the roar of his cannon, or by the glare of his 
firework rockets ; by an artillery served with su- 
perior skill, and with deadly efiect. Never, my 
brave friends, can your general forget the testimoni- 
als of attachment to our glorious cause, of indignant 
hatred to our foe, of affectionate confidence in your 
chief, that resounded from every rank, as he pass- 
ed along your line. This animating scene damped 
the courage of the enemy ; he dropped his scaling 
ladders and fascines, and the threatened attack 
dwindled into a demonstration^ which served only 
to shew the emptiness of his parade, and to inspire 
you with a just confidence in yourselves. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 239 

The new year was ushered in with the most tre- 
mendous fire his whole artillery could produce : a 
few hours only, however, were necessary for the 
brave and skilful men, who directed our own, to 
dismount his cannon, destroy his batteries, and ef- 
fectually silence his fire. Hitherto, my brave 
friends, in the contest on our lines, your courage 
had been passive only ; you stood with calmness, a 
fire that would have tried the firmness of a veteran, 
and you anticipated a nearer contest with an eager- 
ness which was soon to be gratified. 

On the 8th of Jan. the final eflbrt was made. At 
the dawn of day the batteries opened, and the co- 
lumns advanced. Knowing that the volunteers 
from Tennessee, and the militia from Kentucky, 
were stationed on your left, it was there they di- 
rected their chief attack. 

Reasoning al^^ays from false principles, they ex- 
pected little opposition from men, whose officers 
even were not in uniform, who were ignorant of the 
rules of dress, and who had never been caned into 
discipline. Fatal mistake ! a fire incessantly kept 
up, directed with a calmness and unerring aim, 
strewed the field with the bravest officers and men, 
of the column which slowly advanced, according to 
the most approved rules of European tactics, and 
was cut down by the untutored courage of Ameri- 
can militia. Unable to sustain this galling and 
unceasing fire, some hundreds nearest the inirench- 
ment called for quarter, which was granted — 



240 MEMOIRS OF 

the rest retreating, were rallied at some distance, 
but only to make them a surer mark for the grape 
and cannister shot of our artillery, which, without 
exaggeration, mowed down whole ranks at every 
discharge : and at length they precipitately retired 
fron the field. 

Our right had only a short contest to sustain with 
a few rash men, w ho fatally for themselves, forced 
their entrance into the unlinished redoubt on the 
river. They were quickly dispossessed, and this 
glorious day terminated with the loss to the enemy, 
of their commander in chief and one major-general 
killed, another major-general wounded, the most 
experienced and bravest of their officers, and more 
than three thousand men killed, wounded and mis- 
sing, while our ranks, my friends, were thinned on- 
ly by the loss of seven of our brave companions kil- 
led and six disabled by wounds — wonderful interpo- 
sition of heaven ! unexampled event in the history 
of war ! 

Let us be grateful to the God of battles, who has 
directed the arrows of indignation against our in- 
vaders, while he covered with his protecting shield 
the brave defenders of their country. 

After this unsuccessful and disastrous attempt, 
their spirits were broken, their force was destroy- 
ed, and their whole attention was employed in pro- 
viding the means of escape. This they have affec- 
ted i leaving their heavy artillery in our power, 
and many of their wounded to our clemency. The 



ANDREW JACKSON, 21<l 

consequences of this short but decisive campaign, 
are incalculably important. The pride of our ar- 
rogant enemy humbled, his forces broken, his lea- 
ders killed, his insolent hopes of our disunion frus- 
trated — his expectation of rioting in our spoils and 
wasting our country, changed into ignominious de- 
feat, shameful flight, and a reluctant acknowledg- 
ment of the humanity and kindness of those, whom 
he had doomed to all the horrors and humiliation 
of a conquered state. 

On the other side, unanimity established, disaf- 
fection crushed, confidence restored, your country 
saved from conquest, your property from pillage, 
your wives and daughters from insult and violation 
— the union preserved from dismemberment, and 
perhaps, a period put by this decisive stroke, to 
a bloody and savage war. These, my brave friends, 
are the consequences of the efforts you have made* 
and the success with which they have been crown- 
ed by heaven. 

These important results have been effected by 
the united courage and perseverance of the army ; 
but which the diflerent corps, as well as the indi- 
viduals that compose it, have vied with each other 
, in their exertions to produce. The gratitude, the 
admiration of their country, offers a fairer reward, 
than that which anj^ praises of the general can be- 
stow, and the best is that of which they can never 
be deprived, the consciousness of having done their 

duty, and of meriting the applause they will receive." 
21 



242 MJEMOIRS OF 

The history of modern warfare furnishes innu- 
merable instances of enthusiastic and ardent appeals 
to the pride and courage of soldiers, before battles 
were fought, and most extravagant exaggerations of 
their achievements, after they were won. In the 
addresses of Gen. Jackson to his troops, before he 
entered the sanguinary field, nothing is to be dis- 
covered but the cool, dignified, and majestic lan- 
guage of a great commander, prepared for victory. 
When he had vanquished his foe, the highest en- 
comium he could bestow upon his ofiicers and sol- 
diers was, that they had answered his expectations. 
In no instance but one, in the numerous battles 
he had fought and conquered, had he occasion to 
express regret, at the conduct of any portion of his 
troops ; and in that very instance, he gained one 
of the greatest victories recorded in modern histo- 
ry — that of the 8th January, J8i5. His agita- 
tion at losing the right bank of the Missisippi, for 
only a few hours, compelled him to say to a section 
of his little army, that he was disappointed. 

With Gen. Jackson, viptory was never the re- 
sult of accident or fortune. It was the necessary 
efi'ect produced by a known cause. Although inva- 
riably victorious, it would be a miserable eulogy, 
to pronounce him a fortunate commander. He left 
nothing to be decided by the capricious " fortune of 
war," which as often gives glory to a blundering 
braggadocio, as to an accomplished general. He 
acted as though he was the guardian, as well as tlif 



ANDREW JACKSON. 2^ 

commander of the soldiers, and as if he was ac- 
countable for every limb and life lost by execu- 
ting his commands. The manner in which he de- 
fended New Orleans, evinced the solicitude he felt 
for the lives of his soldiers ; and although he was 
conscious that it would assuage the sorrow of the 
surviving friends of slain heroes, to declare that 
they died covered with glory, yet, in restoring 
them to the bosoms of their connections, with the 
laurels of victory upon their living brows, and the 
ardour of patriotism in their beating hearts, he felt 
as if he was rendering to his countrymen and to 
his country, the best account of his battles and his 
victories. 

The astonishing disparity in the losses of the 
American and British armies, would stagger the 
belief of the reader, were it not presented to 
him from most indubitable evidence. From offi- 
cial reports, now in the War Office, it appears that 
the whole loss of the Americans, before New Or- 
leans, and at the mouth of the Missisippi, was as 

follows : — 

Killed. Wounded. Missing. Total. 

Dec. 23J, 24- 115 74 213 

Dec. 28th, 7 8 00 -15 

Jan'y. 1st, 11 23 —00- 34 

Jan'y. 8th, 13=^ 30- 19 62 

I' I 2 7 00 9 



From 9th to 17th, 
atFort St. Philips, 



333 
* But seven were killed in the engagement. 



^44 MEMOIRS OF 

Thus it appears that but 57 were killed — of the 
183 wounded, it is not known that any one died ; 
and of the 93 missing, it is not known that but one 
deserted, and he was hung before the British camp, 
by order of the commander, immediately after the 
final victory over him.* Notwithstanding the se- 
verity of the season — the excessive labour and 
fatigue of the troops, — and the want of camp equi- 
page, but few died ; so that it may be said of Gen. 
Jackson, as it was said of an ancient warrior — ** He 
was twice a conqueror^ Jor he brought home full num- 
hers."^^ 

The loss of the British, from their own acknowl- 
edgment, and from the most correct accounts, must 
have been from 4500, to 5000. The mention of 
New Orleans, while it calls up the most grateful 
and animated recollection of Americans, reminds 
Englishmen, of one of the most disastrous defeats 
recorded in the history of their country. 

* This man was the only deserter from Gen. Jackson's army. 
He told Sir Edward, where the -weakest part of the American lines 
were, having nothmg but Tennessee and Kentucky militia^ to de- 
fend it. The principal column of the enemy attacked that point- 
After the defeat, they railed at the deserter and Amh^ liim. 



ANDREW JACKSON. ^5 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Gen. Jackson appoints a day of Thanksgiving: and Praise, for the 
Victories obtained, and for the preservation of the city, upon 
the 23d January — Doct. Dubcurg's address — the general's an- 
swer — continues his exertions to render the country more se- 
cure-Surrender of Fort Bovvyer— Peace proclaimed— discharge 
of troops—Gen. Jackson's address to them — Remark. 

THE attention of the reader is now to be called 
from scenes of carnage, wounds, death, defeat and 
victory, to one, the most deeply interesting that can 
possibly be presented to the view of man. He is 
to be suddenly transported from those appalling^ 
scenes, which, if tears are permitted to soil the pu 
rity of heaven, must make the angels weep, to one 
which must make them rejoice. 

Gen, Jackson, his gallant officers, and his troops, 
although loaded with earthly honours, and greeted 
with the acclamations of a grateful and protected 
people, did not omit to render that homage which 
is due to that Almighty Being, who ^^ reigns in the 
armies of heaven above) as loell as in the earth be- 
neath,'''' A day of thanksgiving and solemn praise 
was appointed by the general. It was upon the 23d 
of January. The solemn rites were performed in 
the Cathedral in New Orleans. To behold a war- 
worn veteran, like Gen. Jackson, surrounded by 

his war-worn officers, and ti'oops, prostrated upon 
21 =^ 



2'i;6 MEMOIRS OF 

the alter of adoration, and offering to the God oi 
Battles, that glory which the world had bestowed 
upon them, must have moved the heart of apathy 
itself. It is totally impossible for one who was not 
a vyitness of the scene, to have a conception of its 
solemn grandeur. The solemn peals of the organ, 
in unison with vocal praises, sent up to heaven the 
grateful acknowledgments of a preserved people. 
** Grim visog\l ivar had smootKd its wrinkled fronV^ 
— tearsof exquisite joy rolled down the cheeks of 
soldiers and citizens, and the hearts of all were 
swollen with gratitude to the King of kings, and 
Lord of lords. The Republic was safe ; a vaun- 
ting foe was overthrown, and although the memo- 
ries of the few who had fallen in the sanguinary 
field — *f zw sad remembrance rose^'''' it was a subject of 
inexpressible consolation, that almost all the soldiers 
who had formed the impregnable rampart upon the 
plains of the Missisippi, were now assembled in the 
city, which owed its preservation to their valour, 
and to the blessing of heaven. 

Upon this occasion, the Rev* Doct. Dubourg, 
the administrator apostolic of the diocese of Lou- 
isiana, delivered to the general an address, replete 
with the pious efiusions of the Christian, and the 
elegancies of the scholar. Although it has long 
been I>efore the public, I cannot omit to enrich 
this volume by inserting a part of it, together 
with the impressive answer of Gen. Jackson. 
While they will be read with rapture by the Chris- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 24i7 

tian, they cannot fail to excite the adaiiration of the 
patriot. 

The venerable minister of the gospel thus ad- 
dressed the Hero of New Orleans, and the gallant 
officers and soldiers who had followed him to vic- 
tory, and now joined him in adoration — " Gene- 
ral — While the state of Louisiana, in the joyful 
transports of her gratitude, hails you as her deliv- 
erer, and the assertor of her menaced liberties 

while grateful America, so lately wrapped up in 
anxious suspense, on the fate of this important 
city, is re-echoing from shore to shore, your splen- 
did achievements, and preparing to inscribe your 
name on her immortal rolls, among those of her 
Washingtons — While history, poetry, and the mon- 
umental arts, will vie, in consigning to the admira- 
tion of the latest posterity, a triumph, perhaps, 
unparalleled in their records — while thus raised 
by universal acclauaation, to the very pinnacle of 
fame, how easy had it been for you, General, to 
ferget the Prime Mover of your wonderful suc- 
cesses, and to assume to yourself a praise, which 
must essentially return to that exalted source, 
whence every merit is derived. But, better ac- 
quainted with the nature of true glory, and justly 
placing the summit of your ambition, in approving 
yourself the worthy instrument of heaven's merci- 
ful designs, the first impulse of your religious heart, 
was to acknowledge the interposition of Provi- 
dence — your first step, a solemn display of your 



248 MEMOIRS OF 

humble sense of His favours. Still agitated at 
the remembrance of those dreadful agonies, from 
which we have been so miraculously rescued, it is 
our pride to acknowledge, that the Almighty has 
truly had the principal hand in our deliverance, 
and to follow you, general, in attributing to His in- 
finite goodness, the homage of our unfeigned grati- 
tude. Let the infatuated votary of a blind chance, 
deride our credulous simplicity ; let the cold heart- 
ed atheist look for the explanation of important 
events, to the mere concatenation of human causes : 
to us, the whole universe is loud in proclaiming a 
Supreme Ruler, who, as he holds the hearts of men 
in his hand, holds also the thread of all contingent 
occurrences. 

To Him, therefore, our most fervent thanks are 
due, for our late unexpected rescue. It is Him we 
intend to praise, when considering you, general, as 
the man of his right hand, whom he has taken pains 
to fit out for the important commission of our de- 
fence. We extol that fecundity of genius, by which, 
under the most discouraging distress, you created 
unforeseen resources, raised, as it were, from the 
ground, hosts of intrepid warriors, and provided 
every vulnerable point with ample means of de- 
fence. To Him we trace that instinctive superior- 
ity of your mind, which at once rallied around you 
universal confidence ; impressed one irresistible 
movement to all the jarring elements of which this 
political machine is composed ; aroused their slum- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 249 

bering spirits, and diflfused through every rank, the 
noble ardour which glowed in your bosom. To 
Him, in fine, we address our acknowledgments for 
that consummate prudence, which defeated all the 
combinations of a sagacious enemy, entangled him 
in the very snares which he had spread for us, and 
succeeded in effecting his utter destruction, without 
exposing the lives of our citizens. Immortal thanks 
be to his Supreme Majesty, for sending us such an 
instrument of His bountiful designs ! A gift of that 
value, is the best token of the continuance of His 
protection— the most solid encouragement, to sue 
for new favours. The first, which it emboldens us 
humbly to supplicate, as nearest our throbbing 
hearts, is that you may long enjoy the honour of 
your grateful country ; of which you will permit 
us to present you a pledge, in this Wreath of 
Laurel, the prize of victory, the symbol of immor- 
tality. The next, is a speedy and hoDourable ter- 
mination of the bloody contest, in which we are 
engaged. No one has so efficaciously laboured as 
you, general, for the acceleration of that blissful 
period : may we soon reap that sweetest fruit of 
your splendid and uninterrupted victories.'^ 

The general thus replied to this solemn and im- 
pressive address. His allusion to the " cypress 
leaf," a symbol of grief and woe, is inimitably 
fine. Cypress groves were constantly in view of 
the rival armies, during their sanguinary conflicts, 
and they will hereafter remind Englishmen of the 



250 MEMOIRS OP 

carnage committed amongst his infatuated country- 
men, invading our soil, by the gallant armies of 
the Republic in defending it. 

" Reverend Sir — I receive, with gratitude and 
pleasure, the symbol crown, which piety has pre- 
pared. I receive it, in the name of the brave men 
who so effectually seconded my exertions — they 
well deserve the laurels which their country will 
bestow. 

For myself, to have been instrumental in the 
deliverance of such a country, is the greatest bles- 
sing that heaven could confer. That it has been 
effected with so little loss — that so few tears should 
cloud the smiles of our triumph, and not a cypress 
leaf be interwoven in the wreath which you pre- 
sent, is a source of the most exquisite pleasure. 
I thank you, reverend Sir, most sincerely, for the 
prayers, which you offer up for my happiness. May 
those your patriotism dictates for our beloved 
country, be first heard : and may mine, fur your 
individual prosperity, as well as that of the con- 
gregation committed to your care, be favourably 
received — the prosperity, wealth, and happiness 
of this city, will then be commensurate with the 
courage and other qualities of its inhabitants." 

Gen. Jackson, although he felt as if Louisiana 
and its capital were safe, did not remit any of his 
exertions to render the country still more secure. 
With the assistance of his beloved associates. 
Generals Coffee, Carroll, Adair, &c. and the troops 



ANDREW JACKSON. 251 

under their immediate command, he continued to 
augment the strength of his lines on each bank of 
the Missisippi. From his uniform language and 
conduct at this period, it would appear that he sup- 
posed the negociations at Ghent, would not ter- 
minate amicahly. In one of his letters to Mr. 
Monroe, the Secretary of War, he says — " In my 
own mind, there is but little doubt, that his [the 
British commander's] last exertions have been 
made in this quarter, at any rate for ih^ present sea- 
son ; and by the next, I hope we shall be fully pre- 
pared for him " In another one he says — " Where- 
ever I command, such a belief, [that the enemy 
would retire,] shall never occasion any relaxation 
in the measures of resistance. I am but too sensi- 
ble that the moment when the enemy is opposing us, 
is not the most proper to provide for him." 

By the 24ith of January, every hostile foot was 
driven from the soil of Louisiana, and Gen. Lam- 
bert and his army^ were compelled to seek for safe- 
ty in i\\t fleet of Admiral Cochrane, and even that 
was compelled to keep at a respectful distance from 
the shores of the Republic. 

Before the 8th February, the British forces had 
positive and certain intelligence, that a treaty of 
peace between America and Great Britain, had 
been signed by the commissioners of the two gov- 
ernments at Ghent, They were aware, however, 
that it was not binding until ratifications were ex- 
changed. Anxious to wipe off the indelible dis- 



252 MEMOIRS OP 

grace they had incurred at New Orleans, upon the 
8th of January, they assailed Fort Bowyer, at the 
mouth of the Mobile, upon the 8th February, with 
their whole land and naval forces. The gallant 
l^awrence was still there ; but resistance would 
have been the sacrifice of his " little phalanx." 
He surrendered the fort ; but one condition was, 
that the iVmericans should march out of it " with 
colours flyings and drums beating — the officers retain- 
ing their swords.'''' 

The " commanders in chief of his Britannic ma- 
jesty^s land and naval forces vpon the American 
statioHy'^ are welcome to all the little glory they 
claim, for taking this little fort, only to surrender 
it up again. 

Upon the I3th February, Gen. Jackson was ad- 
vised of the ratification of the Treaty of Peace, 
by an express from the War Department. The 
following address to his troops, upon orderins^ them 
to be marched home, will always be read with de- 
light. 

'* The major-general is at length ena])led to per- 
form the pleasing task, of restoring to Tennessee, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, and the territory of the Mis- 
sisippi, the brave troops who have acted such a 
distinguished part, in the war which has just termin- 
ated. In restoring these brave men to their homes, 
much exertion is expected of, and great responsi- 
bility imposed on, the commanding officers of the 
different corps. It is required of Maj, Gens, Car- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 253 

roll, and Thomas, and Brig. Gen. Coffee, to march 
their commands, without unnecessary delay, to 
their respective states. The troops from the Mis- 
sisippi Territory and state of Louisiana, both mili- 
tia and volunteers, will be immediately mustered 
out of service, paid, and discharged. 

The major-general has the satisfaction of an- 
nouncing the approbation of the President of the 
United States, to the conduct of the troops under 
his command, expressed in flattering terms, through 
the honourable the Secretary of War. In parting 
with these brave men, whose destinies have been so 
long united with his own, and in whose labours and 
glories it is his happiness and his boast to have 
participated, the commanding general can neither 
suppress his feelings, nor give utterance to them 
as he ought. In what terras can he bestow suita- 
3)le praise on merit so extraordinary, so unparallel- 
ed ? Let him, in one burst of joy, gratitude, and ex- 
ultation exclaim — these are the saviours of their 
country — these the patriot soldiers who triumphed 
over the invincibles of Wellington, and conquered 
the conquerors of Europe ! 

With what patience did you submit to privations 
— with what fortitude did you 'endure fatigue — 
what valour did you display in the day of battle ! 
you have secured to America a proud name among 
the nations of the earth — a glory which will never 
perish. Possessing those dispositions, which equal- 
ly adorn the citizen, and the soldier, the expecta- 
22 



254 MEMOIRS OF 

tions of your country will be met in peace, as her 
wishes have been gratified in war. Go then, my 
brave companions, to your homes ; to those tender 
connexions, and blissful scenes, which render life 
so dear — full of honour, and crowned with laurels 
which will never fade. When participating, in the 
bosoms of your famil ies, the enjoyment of peace- 
ful life, with what happiness will you not look back 
to the toils you have borne — to the dangers you 
have encountered? How will ail your past expo- 
sures be converted into sources of inexpressible 
delight ? Who, that never experienced your suffer- 
ings, will be able to appreciate your joys? The 
man who slumbered ingloriously at home, during 
your painful marches, your nights of watchfulness^ 
and your days of toil, will envy you the happiness 
which these recollections will afford — still more 
will he envy the gratitude of that country, which 
you have so eminently contributed to save. Con- 
tinue, fellow-soldiers, on your passage to your sev- 
eral destinations, to preserve that subordination, 
that dignified and manly deportmetit, which hav-e 
so ennobled your character. 

While the commanding general is thus giving 
indulgence to his feelings, towards those brave 
companions, who accompanied him through diffi- 
culties and danger, he cannot permit the names of 
Blount, and Shelby, and Holmes, to pass unnoticed. 
With what generous ardour and patriotism, have 
these distinguished goveruours contributed all their 



ANDREW JACKSON. 356 

exertions ; and the success which has resulted, will 
be to them a reward more grateful than any which 
the pomp of title, or the splendour of wealth, can 
bestow. 

What happiness it is to the commanding general, 
that while danger was before him, he was, on no 
occasion, compelled to use towards his compan- 
ions in arms, either severity or rebuke. If, after 
the enemy had retired, improper passions began 
their empire in a few unworthy bosoms, and render- 
ed a resort to energetic measures necessary for their 
suppression, he has not confounded the innocent 
with the gulty — the seduced with the seducers. 
Towards you, fellow-soldiers, the most cheering 
recollections exist, blended, alas ! with regret, that 
disease and war should have ravished from us, so 
many worthy companions. But the memory of 
the cause in which they perished, and of the virtues 
which animated them, while living, must occupy 
the place where sorroio would claim to dwell. 

Farewell, fellow-soldiers. The expression of 
your general's thanks is feeble, but the gratitude of 
a country of freemen is yours — yours the applause 
of an admiring world." 

In this address to the troops, the solicitude of 
Gen. Jackson, for the reputation of the army, is 
clearly evinced. Aware that the exultation /hey 
felt from the victories they had obtained, and 
the animation that aroused them to enthusiasm, at 
the " wreath of laurel" bestowed upon them by 



^56 MEMOIRS OF 

their countrymen, might occasion aberrations 
from the regular walk of sober citizens, he exhorted 
them not to tarnish in peace, the glory they had 
acquired in war. The troops thus dismissed by their 
commander, had to march from five to eight hun- 
dred miles, before they reached their homes. The 
citizens, inhabiting the country through which they 
passed, so far from treating them with distant cold- 
ness, and extorting from them the pittance they had 
obtained for defending the Republic, (conduct not 
unknown to some parts of America,) received them 
with unbounded hospitality, and congratulated 
them as the gallant defenders of American Inde=* 
pendence. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 257 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Recapitulation of facts relative to the proclamation of Martial 
Law, writ of habeas corpus^ Louaillier, and Judge Hall — ArsMt 
of Gen. Jackson — his defence, conviction, and fine — Trial by- 
jury— Popular feehng" — Moderation of Gen. Jackson — ^he advi- 
ses to a sacred regard for civil power. 

IT will be recollected by the reader, that upon 
the I6th December, Gen. Jackson proclaimed 7nflr- 
tial law in New Orleans, and in the environs of it. 
The reasons of that measure, have already been 
briefly givc'n, and the imperious necessity of adopt- 
inij it demonstrated. Next to the efficient mea- 
sures of defence below the city, the people arc 
Indebted to the temporary execution of this system, 
of government, for their salvation from the horrors 
of British invasion. 

That the military power, must be secondary to 
the civil, is an axiom in our Republic generally 
assented to. That they are both, on great emer- 
gencies, to support the honour, dignity, and inde- 
pendence of the States, is a sentiment no less gen- 
erally prevalent. It is a principle, that may be 
said to be coeval with the formation of civil gov- 
ernment, that laws are silent in the midst of arms, 
or as the Romans had it, ''^ leges silent inter arvia.*^ 
These principles are each to have an influcHce up- 
on the mind, in forming an opinion of the propriety 
of Gen. Jackson's conduct, in regard to the suppres- 

99 * 



2dS MEMOIRS OP 

sioii of the civil authority at New Orleans, and the 
legislature of Louisiana, at that time in session 
there. 

Nothing but the agitation produced at the ap- 
proach of imminent danger, upon fearful minds, 
can furnish the least palliation for the extraordina- 
ry course pursued by the city police of New Orleans, 
and the legislature of Louisiana, during the most 
portentous period of their history, i. e. from the 
16th Dec. 1814, to the middle of Feb. 1815. 
These confident assertions would not be made, wer€ 
they not susceptible of the clearest proof. The 
existence of that state of things which led to the 
declaration of martial law, by Gen. Jackson, has 
been partly unfolded by presenting the reader, in a 
preceding chapter, with what was deemed appro- 
priate extracts, from the correspondence of Gov. 
Claiborne with him. This evidence must be com- 
pletely satisfactory, as it was derived from a dis- 
tinguished civil officer, who must, with distressing 
reluctance, have detailed to the world, the melan- 
choly confession of facts so derogatory to the 
dignity and to the patriotism of the legislature, 
over whom he presided, and of the city, where they 
were in session. It will never, however, be for- 
gotten that the police of New Orleans, at this per- 
ilous period, was not in accordance with the wishes 
of a great proportion of its patriotic citizens ; nor 
did the timorous, and vacillating policy of the legis- 
lature, coincide with the ardent desires, of a great 



ANDREW JACKSOA. 259 

number of its members. A number of them follow- 
ed the governour from the house of legislation, to 
the camp of Gen. Jackson, and shewed that they 
felt more solicitous to preserve their state IVom 
the contaminating footsteps of a barbarous enemy, 
tlian to remain in conclave, debating upon ques- 
tions of punctilious etiquette, between the civil 
and military powers. 

It has already been stated, that a majority of tlie 
senate and house of representatives-, in the state 
legislature of Louisiana, were opposed to the re- 
quisitions which Gov. Claiborne had made upon 
the Louisiana militia. The patriotism of the mili- 
tia, however, was not to be damped by a legisla- 
tive veto^ and they followed their patriotic govern- 
our to the field ; and while they were repelling the 
tremendous assault of the enemy, upon the 28th 
Dec. with their brave countrymen from Tennessee, 
Kentucky, and Missisippi, the legislature were 
actually engaged in del)ating the question, whether 
they should not surrender the capital and state, 
to the British army — and make the best terms they 
could with Sir Edward Pakenham I J Gen. Jackson 
ordered Gov. Claiborne, to repair to the city with 
a requisite number of troops, to preserve it from 
the danger of their own legislature, while he would 
defend it from the enemy hanging upon its borders. 
This order was promptly executed, and the legisla- 
ture, by their own governour, was prevented from 
sacrificing the city as a victim to their own fears. 



i60 MEMOIRS OP 

To see a state legislature gravely taking measures 
to iiegociate with the enemy of the whole Re- 
public, evinced almost a complete deterioration of 
intellect. The commander of the forces, so far as 
his power extends, is the representative of the na- 
tional power — he only must be the judge of what 
will conduce to the safety of the country, he com- 
mands ; and he only is accountable for the measures 
that may be adopted. If New Orleans had been 
sacrificed by the commander, in a manner as das- 
tardly as was Detroit, the same disgrace would 
now have been attached to the name of Jackson, 
as there is to that of Hull ; but by defending it 
against the power of the enemy ; the intrigues of 
some of its citizens, and the feverish agitation of 
the legislature^ he has placed himself beyond the 
reach of rivalship, upon the rolls of fame. 

Without pursuing this subject farther, the rea- 
der is now called to leave the legislature of Louisia- 
na, in 1814 — 15, where facts have left it, and follow 
Gen. Jackson from the solemn scene of thanks- 
giving to heaven, and the acclamations of a preserv- 
ed people for victories obtained, to answer for his 
military conduct before a judicial tribunal. To a 
believer in the doctrine of decrees, it would seem 
to fiave been fore-ordained, that Andrew Jackson 
should be the instrument of procuring the greatest 
temporal blessings for his country ; and that the 
ingratitude of republics should have made him, in 
some respects, a signal instance, to show that they 
are still ungrateful. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 261 

• Gen. Jackson found himself under the imperious 
necessity of continuing the execution of martial 
law, until the enemy had totally abandoned his hos- 
tile views against New Orleans and Mobile ; or un- 
til the rumours of peace were coniBrmed by official 
communications from the War Department. Upon 
the first circulation of these rumours, the troops 
evinced the utmost impatience, and a spirit of in- 
subordination pervaded the army before New Or- 
leans. From his knowledge of the innumerable 
stratagems of the enemy, to gain by the policy of 
war, what they despaired of acquiring by the force 
of arms. Gen. Jackson was apprehensive that they 
had devised this report, to lull the soldiers and cit- 
izens into a fatal security, and to take the first fa- 
vourable opportunity that offered, to invade the 
country, and subject it to British dominion. 

A member of the legislature, by the name of 
Louaillier, had published in a New Orleans' Ga- 
zette, an article calculated to excite rebellion in 
the American army, and to encourage the enemy 
i;o renew their attack. Gen. Jackson immediately 
ordered him to be arrested and confined. Mr. 
Dominic A. Hall, judge oi the district, immediately 
issued a writ of habeas corpus, directed to Gen. 
Jackson, commanding him to show reasons for the 
detention of this legislator. The general, knowing 
that his appearance before his troops, in a time of 
danger, was of more consequence to his country, 
than his appearance before a judge, who was eK= 



2Q2 MEMOIRS OF 

deavouring, by the exercise of judicial power, to pro- 
tect a domestic enemy, immediately ordered Judge 
Hall to be arrested and sent out of the city. The 
trial W2is postponed until the country was secured. 

In a very few days after this commencement of 
war between the military power of the American 
Republic,and the judicial authority at New Orleans, 
peace was officially announced to Gen. Jackson, 
from the War Department, " between his Britaimic 
Majesty and the United States^ and between their res- 
pective countries, territories, cities, towns, and peo- 
pie, of every degree, without exception of places or 
persons,"^"* The joy that filled every heart at the 
return of peace, was mingled with gratitude to 
Gen. Jackson, his long tried, brave, and patriotic 
officers, and gallant soldiers, for theii^ protection in 
time of war. But amidst this exhilarating scene, 
the sullen murmurs of disappointed faction, were 
heard in discordant notes ; and the very men who 
were indebted to Gen Jackson and his army, foi* 
the preservation of their lives, fortunes and fami- 
lies, seemed to be actuated by the bitterest malice 
against him. 

It was upon the lith March, that Judge Hall, 
was removed from New Orleans — upon the 1 3th, 
the ratification of the treaty of Ghent, was officially 
announced there — upon the l9th, military ©pera- 
tions were brought to a close bet\veen the two 
armies— and upon the 3 1st, Gen. Jackson was 
arrested and brought before the same Judge Haiti 



ANDREW JACKSON. 263 

to answer for his contempt of the courts for not 
answering, instanter^ to the habeas corptts^ and for 
imprisoning the Jwfi^e who issued it ! J From the 
nature of the subject, and the mode of proceeding, 
this may be pronounced by the legal profession, to 
be causa primce impressionis. 

Called thus suddenly from the encampment of 
an army, before a court of Jaw, Gen. Jackson di- 
vested himself of the stern character of the soldier, 
and resumed the more gentle one of the advocate — 
not to defend a client, as he often had done, against 
groundless ohare^es ; but to save himself from the 
vengeance of infuriated malice. The defence he 
made, has been before the public, ever since he 
made it. It is a source of regret, that the insertion 
of it entire, cannot be made. It comprises not 
only the facts upon which it was grounded, but a 
i)rofound disquisition upon the civil and military 
power, in a time of imminent danger. The follow- 
ing selections from it will show the reasons, in addi- 
tion to those already given, why he proclaimed and 
enforced martial Jaw — imprisoned a legislative 
scribbler — neglected to regard a writ of habeas cor- 
pusy and compelled the judge who issued it to leave 
the city of New Orleans. In this defence, the gen- 
eral says — 

" A disciplined, and powerful army was on our 
coast, commanded by officers of tried valour, and 
consummate skill ; their fleet had already destroyed 
the feeble defence, on which, alone, we could rely, 
to prevent their landing on our shores. 



264i MEMOIRS OF 

Their point of attack was uncertain — a hundred 
inlets were to be guarded, by a force not sufficient 
in number for one ; we had no lines of defence ; 
treason lurked amongst us, and only waited the mo- 
ment of expected defeat, to show itself openly. 

Our men were few, and of those few, not all 
were armed ; our utter ruin if we failed, at hand, 
and inevitable ; every thing depended on the prompt 
and energetic use of the means we possessed, in 
calling the whole force of the community into ac- 
tion ; it was a contest for the very existence of 
the state, and every nerve was to be strained in 
its defence. The physical force of every individ- 
ual, his moral faculties, his property, and the ener- 
gy of his example, were to be called into action, 
and instant action. No delay — no hesitation — no 
inquiry about rights, or all was lost ; and every 
thing dear to man, his property, life, the honour 
of his family, his country, its constitution and 
Jaws, were swept away by the avowed principles, 
the open practice of the enemy, with whom we 
had to contend. Fortifications were to be erected, 
supplies procured, arms sought for, requisitions 
made, the emissaries of the enemy watched, lurking 
treason overawed, insubordination punished, and 
the contagion of cowardly example to be stopped. 

In this crisis, and under a firm persuasion that 
none of those objects could be efi'ected by the 
exercise of the ordinary powers confided to him — 
under a solemn conviction that the country com- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 265 

mittcd to his care, could he saved by that measure 
only, from utter ruin — under a religious belief, 
that he was performing tlie most important and 
sacred duty, the respondent proclaimed martial 
LAW. He intended, by that measure, to supersede 
such civil powers, as in their operation, interfered 
with those he was obliged to exercise. He thought, 
in such a moment, constitutional forms must be 
suspended, for the permanent preservation of c(m~ 
stitutional rights, and that there could he no ques- 
tion, whether it were best to depart, for a moment, 
from the enjoyment of our dearest privileges, or 
have them wrested from us forever. He knew, 
that if the civil magistrate were permitted to exer 
else his usual functions, none of tlie measures neces 
sary to avert the awful fate that threatened us, 
could be expected. Personal liberty cannot exist 
It a time when every man is required to become a 
soldier. Private property cannot be secured, wlien 
;is use is indispensable to the public safety. 

Unlimited liberty of speech is incompatible with 
the discipline of a camp ; and that of the press, 
more dangerous still, when made the vehicle of 
conveying intelligence to the enemy, or exciting 
mutiny among the troops. To have suffered the 
uncontrolled enjoyment of any of those rights, 
during the time of the late invasion, would have 
been to abandon the defence of the country. The 
civil magistrate is the guardian of those rights ; 

but no further." 

23 



2C6 MEMOIRS OF 

In perusing the preceding extract, the reader 
must feel a pride in reliecting, that Gen. Jackson, 
and many other officers in the army of the Re- 
public, have acquired the science of Statesmen, 
as well as the fame of Soldiers. 

The General, in his masterly defence, minutely 
and forcibly assigns the reasons for the course 
he pursued in regard to Louillier, the writ of 
habeas corpKSi a.nd Judge }I?iU ; and proceeds — 

" To have silently looked on such an offence, 
without making any attempt to punish it, would 
have been a formal surrender of all discipline, all 
order, all personal dignity, and public safety. This 
could not be done ; and the respondent immediate- 
ly ordered the arrest of the olTcnder. A writ of 
habeas corpus was directed to issue for his enlarge- 
ment. The very case which had been foreseen ; 
the very contingency on which martial law was 
intended to operate, had now occured. The 
civil magistrate seemed to think it his duty, to en- 
force the enjoyment of civil rights, although the 
consequences which have been described, would 
probably have resulted. An unbending sense of 
what he seemed to think his station required, indu- 
ced him to order the liberation of the prisoner. 
This, under the respondent's sense of duty, produ- 
ced a conflict, which it was his wish to avoid. 

No other course remained, than to enforce the 
principles which he had laid down as his guide, 
md to suspend the exercise of the judicial power 



ANDREW JACKSON. 267 

whenever it interfered with the necessary means 
of defence. The only way effectually to do this, 
was to place the judge in a situation, in which his 
interference could not counteract ^the measures of 
defence, or give countenance to the mutinous dis- 
position that had shown itself in so alarming a 
degree. Merely to have disregarded the writ, 
would have increased the evil, and to have obeyed 
it was wholly repugnant to the respondent's ideas 
of the public safety, and to his own sense of duty. 
The judge was therefore confined, and removed 
beyond the lines of defence." 

After denying the jurisdiction of the court, and 
claiming, as a constitutional right, a trial by jury, 
he thus concludes a defence, which the jurist may 
read with advantage, and the patriot with admira- 
tion. 

" This was the conduct of the respondent, and 
these the motives which prompted it. They have 
been fairly and openly exposed, to this tribunal, 
and to the world, and would not have been ac- 
companied by any exceptions or waver of jurisdic- 
tion, if it had been deemed expedient to give him 
that species of trial, to which he thinks himself 
entitled by the constitution of his country. 

The powers whicli the exigency of the times 
forced him to assume, have been exercised ez 
clusively for the public good ; and, by the bles 
sing of God, they have been attended with un- 
paralleled success. They have saved the country; 



268 MEMOIRS OF 

and whatever may fc* the opinion of that country, 
or the decrees of its courts, in relation to the 
means he has used, he can never regret that he 
employed them." 

The treai hy jury, however much it may be sneer- 
ed at, by the possessors and advocates of undefined- 
power, has secured to Englishmen the few rights 
remaining to them. To Americans, it is secured 
by our inimitable Constitution ; but in the in- 
stance before the reader, it was refused to Gen. 
Jackson, by calling in the aid of the common law 
of England, to insure the conviction of the respon- 
dent for contempt of court ! ! Dominic A. Hall, was 
the judge whose dignity was alledged to be affected 
by contempt of court — Dominic A. Hall was the 
man who was said to have sustained an individual 
injur}^ by the operation of martial law — Dominic 
A. Hall was the judge who icoidd have jurisdiction 
of the case — who deprived Gen. Jackson of a trial 
by jury, and who amersed him in a fine of a thou- 
sand dotlars I Half of this sura must have been ex- 
pended in delays, costs of prosecution, and in the 
expenses of making defence, and the whole fifteen 
hundred dollars, was drawn out of the pocket of the 
man whose indefatigable exertions, consummate 
wisdom and gallant courage, had secured to the 
judge the privilege of convicting him. 

The records of Judge Jefiery himself, scarcely 
furnished a parallel with this proceeding. An 
English jim/y saved Penn and Meadc'-^d.^t^rw^vd^ 



ANDREW JACKSON. 260 

the Dean of St. Asaph^ and ia the present reign, 
Tooke, Hardy and Thelwell^ from the grasp of a 
vindictive ministry, and subservient judiciary ; and 
had Gen. Jackson been arraigned before an impar- 
tial and an independent jury of Americans, allowed 
to consider his whole case, with what readiness 
would they have pronounced a verdict of ** not 
guilty," and changed the indignant murmurs of the 
audience at his conviction, into joyous acclama* 
tions at his acquittal. 

Gen. Jackson immediately satisfied the judg- 
ment, and retired from the court to his carriage. 
The throng that surrounded the hall of justice, 
could not repress their feelings. The horses were 
unharnessed — the carriage elevated upon their 
shoulders, and the Hero of New Orlean, was, in 
this manner, borne through the streets to his lodg- 
ings, by its protected and secured citizens. Flat- 
tering as was this demonstration of respect and 
admiration for Am, the general was apprehensive 
that it was evincive of some disrespect for cwil pow- 
i??*, and addressed them, in the most pathetic man- 
ner. This address is before the writer ; but its 
length forbids its insertion. He acknowledged the 
civility of the people, not with the studied formali- 
ty of fashionable etiquette, but with the impassion- 
ed eloquence of the heart. He exhorted the people 
whom he loved, and v/ho almost adored him, not to 
suffer the ebullitions of passion, to make them for- 
get the respect due to civil authority. They of- 



270 MEMOIRS OF 

fered to pay the. amount of the fine inflicted upoii 
him, but he declined receiving it ; and retired to his 
lodgings with the unassumed dignity of conscious 
integrity. 

It is with pride, mingled with veneration, that 
the writer is enabled thus to famish the reader 
with conchisive evidence, of the dignified modera- 
tion of a conqueror, who conquered, not to ag- 
grandize himself, but to render secure that inde- 
pendecce acquired by his countrymen. Although 
by mllitar!) poiuer, he had saved an important 
section of the Republic, and secured the enjoy- 
ment of civil powei'fhe was conscious that the Jirst 
was, and must be, in a free government, superior 
tX) the Zas^;and if, by a civil or judicial functiona- 
ry, he had sustained what his countrymen deemed 
an injury, he was conscious that it was far prefera- 
ble to suffer himself, and to have errors of judgment 
overlooked, than to have the civil institutions of hi? 
country disre2:arded. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 271 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Gen. Jackson retlves from New Orleans— arrives at Nashville,' Ris. 
place of residence — Reflection — He receives a message to re. 
pair to the seat of government, to assist in arranging the Peace 
Establishment of the U. S. army— Difficulty of that duty— Votes 
of thanks, &c. to GLen. Jackson — He repairs to the seat of gov- 
ernment — Civilities received upon his passage, and on his arri- 
val — Returns to his head-quarters at Nashville, and in 1816, re- 
pairs to New Orleans, and arranges the army, 

GEN, JACKSON, having preserved the military 
district assigned to his command, from invasion- 
having defended it against a force which the enemy 
supposed irresistible, and his countrymen alarm- 
ingly formidable — having restored his gallant army 
to the fire-sides rendered safe by their valour — 
having submitted to the adjudication of a civil 
tribunal, and complied with its decision, he had 
an opportunity to enjoy that repose to which 
he had long been a stranger, and which was now 
rendered secure from the disturbance of savage 
and civilized foes. He beheld an immense por- 
tion of the Republic, which was recently in danger 
of sul JLigation, by a power whose ambition is as 
boundless as its cupidity, enjoying in security, the 
blessings of the American Constitution. 

It is utterly impossible to describe by language, 
ilie emotions of the heart upon this occasion — des- 
cription lags far behind reality, and its povyer, ir. 



272 MEMOIRS OF 

impotency itself. Surrounded by a recently alarm- 
ed, and now a secured people, whose hearts were 
swolleji with gratitude and whose eyes were 
swimming in tears of joy, he stood amidst the 
citizens of New Orleans, like a father in the 
midst of a family, who owed their temporal feli- 
city to his assiduous labours. The females of the 
city, who owed their lives, and what was dearer, 
their honour, to his courage, in impressive silence, 
evinced their gratitude to their " Patron and 
Friend." 

" A glance sends volumes to the heart, 
" "While -words impassion'd die.'* 

Gen. Jackson had a family eight hundred miles 
distant, from which he had long been separated, 
and to which he was impelled, by the most affec- 
tionate attachment, to return- He left New Or- 
leans with the blessings of its citizens for his 
wisdom and courage in defending them, and with 
their prayers for his happiness. In the long dis- 
tance of country through which he passed to his 
residence at Nashville, he was every where receive 
ed by the people, with the most enthusiastic de- 
monstrations of respect ; and greeted as the great 
instrument in the hands of heaven, of preserving 
their country from British outrage, and British do- 
minion. It was the only reward they could bestow, 
and the most grateful one he could receive. In 
every heart a monument was erected to his glory 
upon the foundation of gratitude, which will ntiti 



ANDREW JACKSON. 27S 

be shaken ; but which will be transmitted from the 
bosom of the sire to the son, through all the dis- 
tant ages of posterity. 

He arrived at Nashville upon the 15th May, 18J5, 
Tweuty-seven years before, he arrived here at the 
age of twenty-four years, an insulated being, rely- 
ing solely upon his own exertions and the smiles 
:of heaven, for his establishment in life. He ra- 
pidly advanced in fame, as the country withrapidi- 
ty,advanced to civilization — he literally *' grew with 
the growth, and strengthened with the strength" 
of the people of Tennessee. He had gone hand 
in hand with his fellow citizens, in protecting the 
ierritory and the siatCj from the barbarous carnage 
of savages, and securing the rude cottage of the 
early settler from conflagration, and his family 
from massacre. He had seen an expande<l wil- 
derness, where the majestic silence of nature was 
broken only by the howling of beasts, the yells 
of savages, and the tumbling of waters, converted 
into a region of civilization, where the arts^ so 
conducive to the happiness of man, and the sci- 
cnceSf which enlarges his views, were practised and 
taught. He had seen, in the space of a quarter 
of a century, a new people arise in a new country, 
to an elevation equal to that of many portions of 
the globe, which have enjoyed the inestimable 
blessings of civilization for many centuries. He 
had seen a constitution established to secure the 
rights of the people — courts instituted to adminis- 



^74 MEMOIRS OF 

ter justice, and three universities founded to diffuse 
the Hghts of science. He had sustained many im- 
portant offices in the state, and had represented it 
in both branches of the national government, and 
had laboured to render the civil, religious, and po- 
litical rights of the people secure. To protect 
these enjoyments, he had, at the call of his fellow- 
citizens, led them into the heart of a country of 
savages, and conquered them into peace. He 
also had led them into the face of the most for- 
midable and best disciplined army, that ever as- 
sailed the American Republic, and compelled those 
of them who were not left to moulder in the soil 
they invaded, to flee from destruction. At Nash- 
ville he found himself surrounded by his grateful 
fellow-citizens, in the enjoyment of peace and hap- 
piness ; and by his accomplished officers and gallant 
soldiers who had, by their courage, rendered them se- 
cure. Terrestrial regions could not afford a scene 
more impressively interestijig. In Gen. Jackson, 
the people recognized a Statesman, whose laborious 
and scientific exertions had conduced greatly to 
the security of their political rights ; and a Soldier, 
whose valour had defended them from violation. 
In the people who now surrounded him, the general 
recognized virtuous and industrious citizens, and 
faithful and gallant soldiers. 

Gen. Jackson had received a message, some 
time previous to his arrival at Nashville, to repair 
to the seat of government, to render that assistance 



ANDREW JACKSON. 275 

which his knowledge and experience enabled him 
to afford, in organizing a peace establishment in the 
army of the Republic. Indispensable duties, in the 
district under his command, rendered a compliance 
impossible. 

The task which devolved upon the War, and 
the other Departments of the government, in dis- 
banding an army, which, in the last campaign of 
the war, had every where covered itself with glory, 
was important and delicate in the extreme. To the 
private soldier^ whose toils had been severe, whose 
privations had been hard, and whose reward at the 
conclusion of the war was ample, to be restored to 
private life, was a gratification. But to officers, 
from the highest to the lowest grade, who enter- 
ed the service, more for the acquisition of fame than 
fortune — who had left promising prospects in pri- 
vate life, to defend their endangered country — for 
such men to be dismissed from the service, with 
which they had become familiar, and be compelled 
to return again to the dull pursuits of civil life, 
which has but few charms for the soldier, was a 
difficult, although a necessary duty. 

The American Republic is not a military govern- 
ment — and an overgrown standing army in a time 
of peace, cannot be maintained. 

From the immense extent of the country— from 
the number of its forts on the sea-board, and fron- 
tier, a small standing force is necessary, and a 
small one only, in a time of peace, will be endured. 



37G MEMOIRS OF 

by the people. Conversant with the history of an-^ 
cient and modern military governments, the Amer-* 
ican people are jealous of military power. A ne- 
cessary military force will always be supported — a 
supernumerary army, will ahvays be considered and 
opposed as dangerous. At the conclusion of the 
second war between the American Republic, and 
the kingdom of Great Britain, the government de- 
cided that ten thousand troops, properly proportion- 
ed, as to officers and soldiers, should constitute the 
peace establishment — probably the smallest stand- 
ing army, considering the extent, population, and 
importance of the country, in any nation in the 
world. Many officers, who would have adorned 
any army, must have been dismised by the reduc- 
tion of the American army, from the war to the 
peace establishment. 

The whole of the Republic was divided into tii)o 
divisions, or departments — the South, and the 
North. Maj. Gen. Jackson was appointed com- 
mander in chief of the Division of the South. His 
appointment to this important command, met with 
the approbation of the country. His ability to 
command, had been proved by obtaining a series 
of victories, over the most warlike tribe of savages, 
and the best disciplined armies in the world, under 
the most disadvantageous circumstances. 

Gen. Jackson established his headquarters at 
Nashville, where lie was constantly receiving the 
most unequivocal evidence of the gratitude of his 



ANDREW JACKSON. ^77 

countrymen. Minute details are incompatible with 
the limits of this work ; otherwise the reader might 
be furnished with the proceedings of various legis- 
latures, in passing votes of thanks, expressed in the 
strongest terms of approbation. A vote of thanks, 
although unaccompanied with any pecuniary favour, 
is, to a disinterested patriot, the highest reward he 
can receive. The legislature of Tennessee, were 
amongst the first to manifest their respect for the 
character and achievements of Gen. Jackson. 
They passed a vote of thanks, and presented him 
with a gold medal. They could not forget his gal- 
lant associates, Gen. Coffee, and Carroll, to whom 
they presented elegant swords. 

A British parliament, when it bestows the title of 
a duke, also drains the treasury, to purchase a duke- 
dom for the ennobled subject, and compels the himi' 
ble subjects to refund it, by imposing exorbitant 
taxes. The American government, although just 
to its distinguished citizens and soldiers, cannot be 
generous at the expence of the whole of them. 
Gen. Washington, in the^r^^ war between the 
Republic and Britain, thought nothing of pecunia- 
ry reward, nor did Gen. Jackson in the second ; but 
the one could not have been, and the other cannot 
t)e, indifferent to the grateful applause of indepen- 
dent and protected Americans. 

Although Gtn. Jackson, in early life, felt little 
solicitude for the accumulation or preservation of 
wealth, he nevertheless, after he commenced busi- 



275 MEMOIRS OF 

ness at Nashville, acquired by industry, and saved 
by frugality, a fine real estate, delightfully situated 
upon the bank of the Cumberland river. To this 
he might have retired, had he left the service, and 
have enjoyed an elegant independence. He might 
have surveyed his tenements and fertile fields, and 
have exclaimed, with exquisite delight, " these 
were acquired by my labour — these were defend- 
ed by my valour, and here I can enjoy domestic fe- 
licity in safety." But although the Republic was 
at peace with all the world, it could not dispense 
with the military services of this great Command- 
er. He was retained in the service, not like a 
pensioned duke, with a numerous pensioned reti- 
nue, to excite the unmeaning admiration of a de- 
graded peasantry, but to perfect a military system 
for his country. The division assigned to his com- 
mand, is larger than half of Europe, and requires 
the most consummate skill in the commander, to 
place it in a situation to repel future invasions. 

Late in the autumn of 1815, Gen. Jackson re- 
paired, for the first time since the declaration of 
war, to the seat of government. Upon his passage 
thither, he received that marked attention, which a 
grateful and an admiring people bestow, upon a 
distinguished benefactor. Although in time of war 
he avoided all parade and ceremonies inconsistent 
with the imperious demands of duty, yet he could 
not, at this period, avoid a compliance with the 
wishes of his countrymen, to mingle with their gal- 



ANDREW JACKSON. 27B 

Jant defenders, nor could he avoid a reciprocation 
of their civility and hospitality. 

At Lynchhurgh, in Virginia, a public dinner was 
given him, at which the philosopher of Monticello, 
Thomas Jefferson, was present. The veneration 
that was excited by the presence of the American 
Statesman, could hardly restrain the enthusiasm 
produced by the presence of the American Hero. 
Although far removed from the deeply interesting 
scenes of Gen. Jackson's military operations, the 
people of this place and its vicinity, duly appre- 
ciated his exalted merit Toasts have been said to 
discover the undisguised sentiments of the people ; 
and it is presumed the toast given upon this occasion, 
in reference to Gen, Jackson, by Mr. Jefl'erson, 
will be cordially assented to, by every American — 

*« Honour and gratitude to the man, loho has 
TILLED the measure of his country's honour." 

Upon this occasion, the general, knowing that 

the country he had defended was acquired by nego- 

ciaiiorii by the same man who had so essentially 

aided him in protect hig it, gave for a toast — 

*' James Monroe." 

Upon his arrival at Wasliington, he was received 
with that dignified aflability, and cordial affection, 
for which the President and the heads of the seve- 
ral departments are distinguished. No ostenta- 
tious parade, better calculated to repress than to 
elicit, the feelings of the heart, was displayed upon 
the occasion. The civil fathers of the Kepublic 



280 ^ MEMOIRS OF 

saw before them a soldier, who had supported in 
the field the measures they had devised in the 
cabinet. Respecting, and respected, they mutually 
congratulated each other, upon the successful terr 
mination of their arduous labours. In surveying 
the city, the eifects of Vandal warfare, were visible 
in the barbarous ravages of a British army. He 
saw the ruins of the Capitol and the President's 
house, and knew that it was in open violation 
of the principles of civilized warfare, that it was 
produced. He must have rejoiced that a Pakenham 
was prevented from leaving such tracks of desola- 
tion in New Orleans, as a Ross had in Washington. 
At all the public parties which the general at- 
tended at Washington, at Georgetown, and at other 
places in the vicinity, he shewed, that although in 
time of war, a soldier must be as a lion to his ene- 
mies, he could, in time of peace, be a lamb to his 
friends — that he could, " smooth the lorinkled fronf* 
of the soldier, and enjoy the " lulling tune of tlie 
iute." At the table, he could enjoy the luxuries it 
aflbrded, with the elegance of the gentleman — at 
a levee, or a drawing-room, could reciprocate the 
civilities he received, and in the ball-room, could, 
if he chosed, display the refined accomplishments 
of the courtier. Mrs. Jackson accompanied her 
husband to Washington ; and every where received 
that di St iBguishtid respect, which her own merit, as 
well as admiration for the general, induced every 
one to bestow. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 281 

But amidst the fascinating blandishments of re- 
fined society, and the alluring charms of elegant 
amusements, he never forgat his duty to his coun- 
try. 3Iore than one half of one of the largest na- 
tions in the world, in point of territory, had been 
assigned to his command. Although the olive 
branch of peace, waved over his country, where 
the clarion of war had, for a long time, assailed 
the ears of his countrymen, he never remitted his 
exertions to secure, in time of peace, by efficient 
regulations and necessary establishments, the rights 
and blessings that had been defended by the sword. 

It is inconsistent with the design of these me- 
moirs, to give a minute detail of all the inter- 
esting scenes through which Gen. Jacksoti passed, 
in his extensive private intercourse with the most 
exalted, as well as the middling classes of society. 
A Boswell, might swell the life of a Johnson to 
three octavos, by telling the world how the " gi- 
ant of literature" dressed upon particular days — 
upon what days he drank wine with his friends— 
eream with his coffee, and enriched his bunns with 
butter. Gen. Jackson's life is interspersed with 
incidents more interesting ti) his countrymen, thai: 
such events ; and it is presumed they will be more 
interested in the detail of them. 

In the spring of 1816, Gen. Jackson repaired to 
the great scene of his military operations, New 
Orleans. It is utterly impossible to give the reader 

any conception of the rapture of the people, in 

24i^ 



282 MEMOIRS OF 

again seeing in the bosom of the city, the raan 
who had saved it from carnage and destruction — its 
sons from murder, and its daughters from vvanton 
violaiioii. After the >scej^.es of cordial congratula- 
tion were passed, he immediately reviewed the 
troops — examined minutely into the police of the 
camp, and finding the troops unhealthy, resolved 
to have them removed to the Alabama Territory, 
which was soon after eflfected. 

Although the health and comfort of troops, is 
a primary object with a commander, yet in addi- 
tion to this consideration. Gen. Jackson, consider- 
ed, from former experience, that the most endan- 
gered part of the " Division of the South,'' was 
that which bordered upon the Spanish provinces 
of Florida, in which the Alabama and Seminole 
Indians were embosomed. He was aware that the 
stationing of American troops upon their borders, 
would tend to restrain their barbarity ; and that 
they could more promptly be punished when com- 
mitted. Subsequent events, shewed the wisdom of 
this measore. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 283 



CHAPTER XX. 

Gen. Jackson negoclates a treaty for extinguishment of Indian 
titles to land — Issues an order relative to tliis subject — Receives 
a silver vase from the Ladies of South Carolina, &c. — Returns 
to Nashville — Issues an important general order — Prepares to 
defend his Division — Commencement of Seminole War — Gen, 
Gaines attacks the Seminoles — Gen. Jackson addresses th^ 
"Tennessee Volunteers" — repairs to Georgia — and enters with 
his army into Florida — Justification of th^it measure — he cap- 
tures St. Marks. 

GEN. JACKSON, having discharged the impor- 
tant duty of regulating and stationing the army, in 
the southern section, of the Division of the South, 
he entered into negociation with the Chickasaw, 
Choctaw, Cherokee, and Creek Indians. The 
object of the negociation, was to obtain from them, 
the absolute relinquishment of all the claim they 
pretended to have to lands, within the limits of 
the United States, and which had previously been 
ceded by them. This measure evinced, in a sig- 
nal manner, the moderation of the American gov- 
ernment toward the natives. Although the ter- 
ritory had before been obtained, first by conquest, 
after a sanguinary war, occasioned by the savages 
themselves, and afterwards by treaty with them, 
by which they acknowledged their gratitude to 
the government for permitting them to retain any 
territory, yet, to pacify them completely, for the 
diminution of their limits, and to extinguish their 



284j MEMOIRS OP 

title, Gen. Jackson, engaged, in behalf of his gov- 
ernment, to pay the Creeks, $ 10,000 a year, for 
ten years ; and the Cherokees, % 10,000 a year, for 
eight years. 

Having accomplished this important measure, 
Gen. Jackson repaired to Huntsville, in the State 
of Missis ippi, and upon the 8th of October, pub- 
lished an order which was sanctioned by the gov- 
ernment, by which all citizens of the United Slates, 
were enjoined to abstain from all encroachments 
upon Indian lands, and ordered such as had, to be 
removed in a limited number of days. Although 
this might operate hard upon individuals who had 
acted under misapprehension, yet it was doing 
that justice and equity to savages, which the Amer- 
ican government has always extended to them ; 
and it rendered still more secure the frontiers of 
Missisippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. 

During this season, Gen. Jackson received a 
manifestation of respect from the " Ladies of South 
Carolina," his native state, which must have been 
peculiarly grateful to his feelings. They presented 
him, through Coi. Haynes, and Maj. Gadsden, with 
a splendid silver tase, elevated upon a pedestal. 
The figures attached to it, are emblematical of the 
country's glory, and of the glory of *'the man of 
NEW ORLEANS.'* Upon oue side of it, is a striking 
representation of the great battle, and an inscrip- 
tion, *' EIGHTH JANUARY, 1815" — upou thc Other 

'* PRESENTED BY THE LADFES OF SOUTH CAROLINA, TO 



ANDREW JACKSON. 285 

aVIAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON.'' The gift WaS 

worthy of the receiver — worthy of the givers — 
worthy of the descendants of the patriotic matrons 
of South Carolina, who, in the gloomy period of the 
revolution, added lustre to their characters, by ex- 
ercising a benevolence, as boundless as the wants 
of their assailed countrymen. The toils, the grief, 
and the death, of the venerable mother of Andrew 
Jackson, cannot be forgotten.^ 

At about the same time, the general received 
another present, although less splendid, equally 
appropriate. A boot manufacturer of Pittsburgh, 
j)resented him with an elegant and superb pair of 
military boots. He received them with great affa- 
bility, and reciprocated the civility with his usual 
cordiality. The presentation of a pair of tooolle?i 
stockings, to the Emperor Alexander, when at Lon- 
don, suitable for the frigid climate in which he 
reigns, was received with all the condescension which 
the head of the allied sovereigns could bestow upon 
a peasant. 

In October, 1816, Gen. Jackson returned to his 
liead.quarters at Nashville, Tenn. It has long 
been his happiness, when returning to the place of 
his residence, from the discharge of civil and mili- 
tary duties abroad, to have, in his absence, raised 
an additional claim to the gratitude and admiration 
of his fellow citizens. The treaty he had recently 

* Vide Chap. I. Page 27. 



^QQ MEMOIRS OP 

made with the Indians, was most peculiarly advan- 
tageous to the people of Tennessee, as it diminish- 
ed, and almost allayed the apprehensions of the 
people, from all future fears of Indian warfare. 

Having become [)erfectly familiarized with the 
necessary regulation and police of an army, his at- 
tention was almost exclusively devoted to the in- 
troduction of them, into the American army. In 
tlie spring of 1817, he issued the following general 
older, which has been the subject of severe ani- 
madversion, from some distinguished officers in the 
armj, and of approbation from others- 

DIVISION ORDER. 

Adj\itant-GeHeral*s Office, H. Q Division of the Soutli. 

JVashville, April 22, l^lT^ 

The commanding general considers it due to 
the principles of subordination, which ought, and 
must exist in an army, to prohibit the obedience 
of any order emanating from the Department of 
War, to officers of this division, who have re- 
ported and been assigned to duty, unless coming 
through him, as the proper organ of communica 
tion. ' The object of this order, is to prevent the 
recurrence of a circumstance, which removed an 
important officer from the division without the 
knowledge of the commanding general, and in- 
deed, when he supposed that officer, engaged in 
his official duties, and anticipated hourly the re- 
ceipt of his official reports, on a subject of great 



ANDREW JACKSON* 287 

importance to his command ; also to prevent the 
topographical reports from being made public 
through the medium of the newspapers, as was 
done in the case alluded to, thereby enabling the 
enemy to obtain the benefit of all our topographical 
researches, as soon as the general commanding, 
who is responsible for the division. Superiour offi- 
cers, having commands assigned them, are held res- 
ponsible to the government, for the character and 
conduct of that command ; and it might as well be 
justified in an officer, senior in command, to give or- 
ders to 2i guard on duty, without passing that order 
through the officer of that guard, as that the 
Department of War, should countermand the ar- 
rangements of commanding generals, without giving 
their order through the proper channel. To ac- 
quiesce in such a course, would be a tame surren- 
der of military rights and etiquette ; and at once 
subvert the established principles of subordination 
and good order. Obedience to the lawful com- 
mands of superiour officers, is constitutionally and 
morally required : but there is a chain of commu- 
nication that binds the military compact, which, 
if broken, opens the door to disobedience and 
disrespect, and gives loose to the turbulent spirits, 
who are ever ready to excite mutiny. AH physi- 
cians, able to perform duty, who are absent on 
furlough, will forthwith repair to their respective 
posts. Commanding officers of regime its and corps, 
are ordered to report specially, all officers absent 



^8 MEMOIRS OF 

from duty, on the 30th of June next, and their 
cause of absence. The army is too small to tole- 
rate idlers, and they will be dismissed the service. 
By order of Maj, Gen. Jackson. ' 
(Signed) ROBERT BUTLER, 

Adjutant General, 

Until the commencement of the last war, the 
American Republic could hardly be said to have 
Iiad ^practical military system. From the conclu- 
sion of the war of the revolution, to that period, 
it had, indeed, a small military force ! but they 
were scattered, in small sections, through an im- 
mense country, and but little of a systematic or- 
ganization, or ©f regular subordination, was to be 
discerned. The collisions that unhappily subsist- 
ed in the army, and between the army and the 
War Department, in the campaigns of 1812, and 
1813, evince the justice of the remark. It requir- 
ed the energy of a Monroe, in the last, and of a 
Jackson, Brown, Macomb, Gaines, Scott, Rip- 
ley, &c. in the first, to give efficiency and system 
to the physical powtrof the country, when called 
into action. The preceding general order of the 
Commander in Chief of the Division of the South, 
is inserted, not for the purpose of discussing its 
merits. It would be arrogance in the writer to 
attempt it. That subject more properly belongs 
to the accomplished officers of the army, than to 
the unassuming biographer. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 289 

^ Gen. Jackson, with that vigilance which always 
characterizes a great commander, extended his 
views through the whole of his immensely extensive 
division ; but he was fully aware from whence the 
greatest, or rather, the most immediate danger was 
to be apprehended He was well acquainted with 
Spanish perfidy, and had once carried the Ameri- 
can arms to the capital of their North American 
possessions, and terrour into the heart of an effemi- 
nate, though vindictive minister of the imbecile,' 
though tyrannical Ferdinand VII. The sparing 
mercy of the American government, was extended 
to him and to his nation, from the most solemn as- 
surances, that the treaty existing between the Amer- 
ican and Spanish governments, should be inviola- 
bly kept, and faithfully executed. Without allu- 
ding to other articles, and other violations, it is 
sufficient for the present purpose to state, that one 
article of this treaty provides, that the Spanish gov- 
ernment, shall wholly restrain the savages within 
the limits of their possessions in North America, 
from depredations of every kind upon the citizens 
of the United States. In the preceding parts of this 
work, the conduct of Manreqiiez^ the then Spanish 
governour, has been unfolded. Conduct equally 
flagrant in outrage, was pursued by the Spanish 
authorities, after the conclusion of peace between 
America and Great Britain, as was pursued during 
the last war. So far from restraining the hosti'e 

savages from committing depredations upon liie 
2b 



too MEMOIRS 0*" 

territory, and murder upon the persons of American 
citizens, they were encouraged to the perpetration 
of these deeds, by the officers and emissaries of 
Spain. 

No thanks are due from Americans to the Span- 
ish authorities of Florida, for the peace which has 
subsisted for a considerable period, between the 
government and people of the American Republic ; 
and the Choctaw^ Czeek^ Cherokee^ and Chickasaw 
tribes of Indians : nor will these brave and infatu- 
ated sons of the forest, thank them for stimulating 
them to warfare, against a magnanimous nation, 
whose prowess, directed by the courage and wisdom 
of Gen. Jackson, has conquered them iuto a peace, 
advantageous to themselves — advantageous, because 
the sacred regard to justice, which is the leading 
characteristic of the American government, will 
inviolably regard it. These tribes, from the most 
correct information, could bring into the field, in 
181 r, 10,000 warriors : but none of them, except 
the disaffected, who had, by the seduction of for- 
eign emissaries, joined the Seminoles^ raised the 
hatchet against Americans. 

The Seminole Indians are not a *' legitimate''^ 
tribe of native Americans. They are an associa- 
tion of desperados, who have been banished from 
other tribes, and who havedrawn into their confede- 
yaoy, many runaway negroes, whose African^ sul- 
lenness, has been aroused to indiscriminate ven- 
geance, by the more frantic fury of the American 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



29^1 



fiatives. It was from this desperate clan of out- 
laws, from civil, and even from savage society, that 
the Spanish authorities expected to see the Ameri- 
can 'settlements, upon the borders of Florida, de- 
vastated, and the settlers slain » 

The British government, since the treaty of 
peace negociated at Ghent, had been more cautious 
in arming, disciplining, and driving savages into 
war with Americans, than it had previously been : 
but two of its subjects by the names of Arbuthnot 
and Ambristie, had long been executing, under the 
specious pretext of carrying on merchandize^ the 
wishes of the enemies of the American Republic. 
To conceal their depravity, they may have furnish- 
ed the Seminole Indians with some few articles of 
clothing : but the principal articles of their traffic, 
were knives^ hatchets^ muskets, rifles, halls, and 

powder. 

From the year 1814 to 1817, this ferocious clan 
of American savages, and African negroes, com- 
mitted many depredations and wanton murders, in 
the American settlements. Gen. Edmund P. Gaines, 
the next in command to Gen. Jackson in the Divi- 
sion of the Soutli, was stationed in the vicinity of 
these outrages. In a communication which would 
grace this, or any other volume, but which is re^ 
luctantly omitted, he pourtrayed the open violences 
of the savages, and the insidious wickedness of 
Spanish and British emissaries, in a manner not to 
be disregarded. He was stationed at Fort Scott : 



292 SIEMOIRS OF 

and had with him but part of the 7th Regiment of 
U. S. infantry. He however immediately put his 
forces in motion against them, although wholly in- 
competent, from deficiency in amount, to cope with 
the imm-ense host of savages that surrounded him, 
and his little gallant force. He demanded a sur- 
render of the murderers of American citizens. No 
answer was given but savage defiance. No com- 
punciions were manifested for the innocent blood 
that stained them. G^n. Gaines, aware that patient 
sufferance of injuries from savages, forever in- 
creases their ferocity, proceeded against them — 
crossed the Flint River— dispersed them— destroy- 
ed Fowlioimy and returned to Fort Scott. A nu- 
merous horde of desperate warriors, red and blacky 
surrounded the fort, and entirely cut off the com- 
munication of the American forces. Appearan- 
ces indicated a repetition of the tragical scenes 
of Fort Mimms in Missisippi. The signal ven- 
geance inflicted upon the Creeks, by Gen. Jack- 
son, and his invincible army, probably occasioned 
the Seminoles to pause, before they '^ cast their 
lives upon a die,*^ 

Gen. Gaines had called upon the executive 
of Georgia, whose state was more immediately 
endangered than any other, for immediate suc- 
cour. The miserable system of temporary draft- 
ing, had been adopted ; and before the troops 
eould be brought to act efficiently, their term of 
service expired, and the small regular force was the 



ANDREW JACKSON. 293 

only reliance the frontier settlers had, as a protec- 
tion from devastation and massacre. A boat with 
40 passengers was taken upon Flint River, and 
every soul on board slain. Universal consternation 
prevailed ; and Gen. Gaines once more called 
upon the Georgia forces, 2000 of whom were de- 
tailed, and rendezv^oused at Hartford, Geo. 

Gen. Jackson, as commander in chief, was again 
called upon, from a sense of duty to take the field. 
Again were the " Tennessee Volunteers," by 
their beloved and almost adored general, exhorted 
to resume the armour of war, in the following ad- 
dress, — '* Volunteers of West Tennessee — Once more, 
after a repose of three years, you are summoned to 
the field. Your country, having again need for your 
services, has appealed to your patriotism, and you 
have met it promptly. The cheerfulness with 
which you have appeared to encounter the hard- 
ships and perils of a winter s campaign, affords the 
highest evidence of what may be expected of you, 
in the hour of conflict and trial. 

The savages on your borders, unwilling to be at 
peace, have once more raised the tomahawk to 
shed the blood of our citizens, and already they are 
assembled in considerable force, to carry their mur- 
derous schemes into execution. Not contented 
v/ith the liberal policy that has from time to time 
been shewn them, but yielding themselves victims 
to foreign seducers, they vainly think to assail and 
conquer the country that protects them. Stupid 



294 MEMOIRS OF 

mortals ! They have forgotten too soon the streams 
of blood their ill fated policy heretofore cost them. 
They have forg:otten too, that but a short time since, 
conquered, and almost destroyed, they were only 
preserved by the mildness and humanity of that 
country, which they now oppose. They must now 
be taught, that however benevolent and humane 
that country is, she yet has sacred rights to protect, 
and with impunity, will not permit the butchery of 
her peaceable and unoffending citizens. 

Brave Volunteers — The enemy you are going to 
contend with, you have heretofore met and fought. 
You have once done it, and can again conquer them. 
You go not to fight, but to be victorious ; remem- 
ber then, that the way to prove successful, is not by 
being inattentive to the first duties of a soldier, but 
by bearing and executing with cheerfulness, the or- 
ders of superiours, and being constantly mindful of 
the obligations you are under to your country and 
to yourself. Subordination and attention to disci- 
pline, are ail-important and indispensable ; witht)ut 
them, nothing like system can be preserved, and 
this being wanted, nothing favourable can result. 
But in you, every confidence is reposed. Your 
general will not believe that brave men, who have 
so promptly oome forth at the call of their country, 
will withhold their assent to regulations which can 
alone assure them safety and success. Hardships 
and dangers are incident to war ; but brave men 
win bear them without murmuring or coraplaiaiug. 



ANDREW JACKSON- 



295 



Knowing you to be such, no fears are entertained 
but that every duty imposed on you, will be met 
with promptness and cheerfulness. 

Your general goes before you to open the way, 
and prepare for your reception. Confiding in your 
diligence and exertions, he will expect your arrival 
at your destined point, without unnecessary delay— 
led by Col. Arthur P. Haynes, an officer in whom he 
has every confidence. This being eflected, he will 
place himself at your head, and with you share the 
dangers and hardships of the campaign." 

The proud title and unfading laurels which these 
gallant sons of tlie Republic had acquired, would 
not suffer them to remain unmoved at an address 
from a chieftain, under whom they had acquired 
them. With a promptness that had ever signalized 
them, they repaired to their rendezvous, and, under 
the command of Col. Arthur P. Haynes, so often 
mentioned before, repaired to the point of destina- 
tion, at Fort Scott. 

Gen. Jackson, in January, 1818, had repaired to 
Georgia, and had placed himself at the head of 
the Georgia militia. Situated in a country which 
affords but few materials for the subsistence of an 
army, he actually commenced a march of ten 
days through a wilderness, with only Q. pint of corn. 
to'each man per day! He was also conscious, 
that a supply could not be relied upon at Fort 
Scott. But he knew the importance of celerity 
in the movement of an army, and the brilliancy 



g96 MEMOIRS OP 

of his achievements had hitherto depended much 
upon it. At Fort Scott, he formed a junction with 
the regular forces ; and upon the arrival of the 
Tennessee Volunteers, M'as prepared to make a 
sudden termination of the Seminole war. 

This tribe had not a solitary claim to compas- 
sion, excepting what arises from the consideration, 
that they were willing victims to Spanish and 
British machinations. Even their principal chief, 
Fepiticoccy^ when asked the reason of his hostility 
against the American Republic, replied — *' The 
government toere alivays ready to do him justice, and 
to make peace zoith him ; hit that war was a. fine 
manly exercise, in which he wished to practise his 
young men ! .'" Their " foreign seducers," were 
ever ready to make them victims to their own in- 
fatuation. The same CoL Nicoll, of proclamation 
memory, and the same Capt. Woodbine, of no mem- 
ory, but that of infamy, were found to be skulk- 
ing among the Seminoles, as they sneaked from 
Pensacola in the last war, after having exposed 
the feeble and impotent Manrequez, to the just 
vengeance of a magnanimous but Insulted govern- 
ment. 

By the first week in March, 1818, the measures 
of Gen. Jackson, were determined upon ; and 
when fixed, Indian hostility, Spanish intrigue, and 
British perfidy, might as well divorce the sun from 
the ecliptic, as to divert him from their accom- 
plishment. He had been compelled, in avenging 



ANDREW JACKSON. 297 

the injuries of his country, to make the brave, 
infatuated, and misguided Creeks bleed at every 
pore. Although the Seminoles had less claim to 
compassion, yet this great commander was aware 
that they were also misled; but upon them, as 
open aggressors, his power was first to operate, 
and then, upon their misleaders. He was deter- 
mined to strike at the root of the evil j and, if pos- 
sible, to remove it. 

! Minute details might be entered into, and they 
might gratify minute curiosity ; but it is sufficient 
to say, that Gen. Jackson, marched with his for- 
ces through a country, in which the savages had 
every advantage, from their acquaintance with it, 
and from its better adaption to savage, than to civ- 
ilized warfare. Like the powerful representative 
of a ,8;reat people, he determined to punish the 
guilty wherever found, and to spare the innocent? 
where innocence was evinced. He passed through 
that part of the American territory, occupied by 
the Seminoles: and they either fell, or retired 
before him and his gallant followers. He reached 
the borders of Florida, upon lOth March. Know- 
ing that geographical boundaries, were not the 
boundaries of right and wrong, and determining 
to penetrate the darkest recesses of guilt, and pun- 
ish its instigators, he entered the Spanish province 
of Florida with his forces. 

Many of the countrymen of Gen. Jackson, have 
bestowed a liberal portion of censure upon him? 



2^ MEMOIRS OP 

for entering the territory of a power, with an ar- 
my, with whom the Republic was a peace. While 
it is admitted, that Spain was ostensibly at peace 
with Americans, it must not be denied that the 
Spanish authorities in FJorida, were palpably vio- 
lating the treaty, by omittinsf to restrain the savages 
m their territory, from acts of hostility against 
them, and by encouraging the savages in commit- 
ting thetn. Should it be said that they were un- 
able to restrain them, from their own weakness, and 
from the superiority of the savasfes, it may be an- 
swered — every nation must perform their own 
treaty-stipulations, or suffer the consequences of 
a violation. Is not the plea of weakness, a fal- 
lacy, as it regards the Si:dnish treaty with Ameri- 
ca ? Is it to be said tiiat one of the " Allitd Sove- 
reigns" of Europe, cannot restrain a single tribe 
of Indians from breaking his treaties ? A tenth 
part of the forces he has, for years, maintained 
in South America, vainly endeavouring to enslave 
the Patriots, and subject them to Spanish tyranny, 
the torture, and the Inquisition, might easily have 
restrained the Semiuok* Indians from depredations 
and murders, in the American settlements. 

Gen. Jackson had under his command, and of 
course, under his military protection, all that por- 
tion of the Republic which bounds upon the exten- 
sive province of Florida. He held himself, in a 
degree, accountable for every inch of territory, 
that was invaded, and every limb and life that was 



ANDREW JACKSON, 299 

lost by the encDiics of his country. He felt his 
ability to defend his extensive Division ; he knew it 
to be his duty ; and was conscious that his country 
expected it from him. He saw his countrymen mur- 
dered upon the frontiers, and the murderers protect- 
ed by a government which was solemnly pledg- 
ed to restrain the savagjes, who had committed 
them, from every act of hostility. It would have 
been but a pastime for these blood- seeking, despe- 
rate Seminoles, to have saturated themselves with 
the blood of American women and children, and 
merely to be driven to their homes in the forests of 
Florida, only to prepare to glut their vengeance 
by repeated feasts of innocent blood. Are tlie 
swamps and ravines of Florida, like the horns of 
ancient altars, a protection for murderers? Ask 
the parents of slain innocents, whether this is the 
protection their government is pledged to extend 
to thejn. No matter what might have been the in- 
structions of the government to Gen. Jackson — No 
matter what may be the opinion of the fastidious 
civilian upon abstract questions of international 
law. The Spanish government had palpably vio- 
lated their treaty with America ; and if thirteen 
years more, of negociation were to he spent, the 
Alabama Territory, the frontiers of Georgia, Ten- 
nessee, and Missisippi, will have presented a wide 
spread scene of desolation, in which the bones of 
American citizens would be found mingled with the 
ruins of their habitations, and the devastations of 
the country. 



300 MEMOIRS OP 

Gen. Jackson, like an ancient patriot, described 
by an ancient historian, is *' a man — a high-minded 
maih ivho knows his duty, and knowings dares perform 
it.^^ He might have said, as his great and exalted 
friend, President Monroe did, >vhen he entered the 
highest station filled by an human being — "from 

A. JUST RESPONSIBILITY I SHALL NEVER SHRINK.'? 

He led his army into Florida. The confidence of 
the wretched Seminoles was converted to despair, 
and they fled in consternation before the avenger 
of their inhuman murders. He penetrated into the 
interiour of Florida, and captured Fort St Marks, 
the dark sce'ie of Spanish and British machinations, 
and the primmn mobile of Indian carnage, and mas- 
sacre The Spanish authorities protested against 
it, but conscious guilt unnerved their arms, and 
they dared not defend it by force. 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



301 



Gen. Jackson at Fort St. Mju-ks, Florida— captures and executes 
Francis the Prophet, and an Indian Chief— at the same place, 
takes Arbuthnot and Ambristie — details a general court-martial 
for their trial — approves of the sentence and orders them to be 
executed — Remark — Gen. Jackson marches for Pensacola — 
captures it — appoints Col. King to the command of it, and re- 
tires to Nashville, Tenn. 

GEN. JACKSON was now, (April, 18i8,) in pos- 
session of the most important post in Florida, (if 
Pensacola be excepted,) — Fort St. Marks, It is 
situated far in the interiour of that province, upon 
the river St. Marks ; has long been the theatre of 
the most nefarious designs, and the starting point 
from which marauders, depredators, and murderers 
have taken their departure — certain of being wel- 
comed home, when plunder and scalps were brought 
with them. From this place, Gen. Jackson direct- 
ed his operations against the Seminoles, yet unsub- 
dued. An important town of their's, hy the name 
of Suwannei/, thirty miles distant, was taken by a 
detachment of the army. The savages dispersed 
or surrendered, in every part of the country, and 
the war of defence against the Sem.inoles, was sud- 
denly brought to a close. 

By hoisting a British flag upon the fort, many hos- 
tile Indians entered th€ water-craft in the river, and 
were captured. Among them, were a ferocious chief, 
and the Prophet Francis, whose murlers, com- 
mitted and instigated, cannot all he mentioned. 
They suffered the reward of their diabolical wick- 
edness upon the gallows. The rest of the savages 

were discharged. Francis had recently visite^l 
26 



30S MEMOIRS OF 

England ; and there was found in his possession, a 
general's commission in the British army. 

At the same place were taken the two British 
subjects before mentioned — Arbuthnot and Ambris^ 
tie. The most conclusive evidence was furnished 
Gen. Jackson, that these men Avere, and for a long 
time had been, in open hostility against the Re- 
public. That they had furnished the Seminoles 
and negroes, with every species of deadly weapons, 
the better to enable them to carry on war against 
the Americans. That they had stimulated them 
to the commission of many of the murders that had 
been perpetrated by them, upon the defenceless 
citizens upon the frontiers ; and that they had 
rendered themselves subject to the most rigorous 
execution of vengeance against them, as violators of 
the acknowledged principles of the law of nations. 

Gen. Jackson, imitating the dignified moderation 
of the government, whose power he represented, 
detained them for triaU to give them an opportuni- 
ty to evince their innocence. A general court- 
martial was detailed, of thirteen members. The 
President of this court, was Maj. Gen. Edmund P. 
Gaines^ one of the most distinguished and accom- 
plished officers in the American, or any other 
service. The members consisted of officers of 
high reputation in the regular army, and in the 
corps of volunteers. Every indulgence, consistent 
with the dignity of the proceeding, was extended 
to the arrested men ; and every opportunity af- 
forded them to make a full defence. After the 



ANDREW JACKSON. 



303 



most solemn deliberation, the court found them 
guilty of the articles and specifications exhibited 
against them, and ordered them to be executed. 
Gen. Jackson approved of the sentence ; and Ar- 
but h?cot a.nd Anibristie atoned with their lives, so 
far as two guilty lives could atone, for the murder 
of many innocent and worthy men ; many lovely 
and helpless women—many weeping and beseech- 
ing children which had been instigated by them, 
and perpetrated by the most ferocious clan of infu- 
riated desperados that infest the earth.* 

These trials, these condemnations, and these 
executions have excited unmeaning clamour from 
i some, and perhaps, as unmeaning applause from 
others. The wise advice " first hear, and then 
judge," seems to have been totally disregarded up- 
on this subject. After the most assiduous endeav- 
ours, the writer could not procure the trial of these 
misguided, and, on the strength of the sentence of 
a distinguished court, we may say guilti/ men. It 
is in the department of the government ; and will be 
divulged when the wisdom of the government sees 
tit. It may be proper, however to state, that the 
whole proceedings and the record, have been sub- 
mitted to an eminent man, who thus speaks of it — 
*' I have been favoured wi*h the perusal of the 
trial of Arbuthnot and Amhristie,by a military tri- 
Uunal, upon the 28th April, 18 IS. The charges 
preferred against them, were so completely cstab- 

* To shew the unparalleled barbarism of the Seminole clan, it 
need only be mentioned, that in June, 1818, Bull Head, Chief oi 
the lower Seminoles, died ; and that, four of his finest plundered 
horses, and his-favourite negro, were burned on the occasion. 



304} MEMOIRS OP 

Jished, as not to " leave a loop to hang a dotibt,^^ as 
to the justice of the sentence. When the facts 
connected with the execution of these men, shall 
be spread before the world, they will be satisfac- 
tory and conformabie to the law of nations. 
When the letters of Arbulhnot to Mr. Bagot, and 
the governours of the Bahama, Havanna.i &c. 
are laid before the American people, they will then 
see the *' cloven foot" of British influence, as plain 
as the noon day's sun." An officer of intelligence 
and veracity, who attended the whole trial, corro- 
buraJes this statement ; and even a leading Gazette, 
published in London, as late as 1st July, says — " If 
Arbulhnot and Ambristie, were really guilty of the 
crime with which they stood accused, their fate was 
such as the law of nations warrants." 

Many British prints, hov/ever, and what excites 
rather pity than indignation, many American prints, 
have bestowed upon the administration, and Gen. 
Jackson, the most opprobious epithets, for their 
proceedings in relation to the capture of St. Marks 
and Pensacola, and the execution of Arbuthnot 
and Ambristie ! The justice of heaven is often re- 
cognized in bringing the solitary murderer, to jus- 
tice ; and although it is ever a solemn scene, hu- 
man tribunals are justified in inflicting it. Is it. 
because these miscreants occasioned blood to flow 
from hundreds of bosoms, that they are to be screen- 
ed from punishment? They were murderers, in 
the strictest sense of the word. Britain and Spain.^ 
were both at peace with America ; they therefore. 



ANDREW JACKSON. • ^^^ 

could not claim the rights of prisoners of war. 
They lived by the knife, the tomahawk, and the 
musket, and they justly expiated their crimes upon 

the gibbet. 

The Serainoles had been conquered; their pow- 
er broken ; their warriors dispersed; and their in- 
stigators punished. At the very moment when 
Gen. Jackson, was about to discharge his army, in- 
formation was received by him, that many recent 
murders had been ''committed on the Alabama, bij 
a party of the enemy from Pensacola, where they 
zvere furnished ivith provisions and ammunition by a 
friendly power r~^^ 

Governour Joseph MasoU l^ad succeeded Gon^ 
zalez Manrequez, in the gubernatorial authority of 
Florida ; but although there was a change oimen, 
there was no alteration m measures. The hostile 
savages were still fostered, armed, and instigated to 
war, in the capital of Florida. Gen. Jackson re- 
solved again to " carry our arms where he found our 
enemiesr\ Encountering hardships and privations 
which he and the Tennessee Volunteers, had for 
years encountered, they moved towards Fensacola 
Conscious of having incurred the j ist vengeance of 
the American government and army, the governour 
remon^rated against the procedure, in order to lay 
a foundation for a little more negociation with his 
u adored master ;" but Gen. Jackson had no other 
powerofnegociating with il/«.o^than he had with 

* Vide Gen. Jackson's address to his army, 29th May, 1818. 
t Vide Chap. xii. 



oOO 



MEMO! IIS or 



Manrequez-^^^froni the mouths of his cannon''^ 

He eniered tensacola, without opposition. Tiie 
governeur, his retinue, and his forces retired to the 
fortress of Baramas, which had been repaired, at 
nnmeiise expense, since the explosion in the last 
war. It was here, that the American forces ex- 
pected the most determined opposition, from the 
superiour advantages that the Spaniards possessed. 
But " he is doubly ariii'd who hath his quarrel just.'' 
The garrison held out but on« day, and surrender- 
ed upon the 28th May. The articles of capitula- 
lion are before the public, and are t(X) long to be 
here inserted. 

Upon the 29th May, Gen. Jackson commences 
his orders-" Head Quarters, divmon of the South 
;v«««co/«."_Speaking of the possession of this 
place, he says— « /,e has not been prompted to this 
measure from a msh to extend the territorial limits of 
the United States.^' Alluding to the Spanish treaty 
and the Spanish violation of it, he says—" helpless 
women have been h.itchered, and tlie cradle stained 
with the blood of innocence !" He assigned the 
command of Pensacala to Col. King, " as military 
and civil governour," and prepared to retire to his 
old head quarters at Nashville. He arrived there, lat^ 
in June, and was received by adeputation of citizens, 
among whom was his gallant associate. Gen. Carroll. 
From that time to the present, (Nov. 1818,) Gen 
Jackson has been assiduously engaged in the im- 
portant duties devolved upon him, as « comman-bbr 

iN CHIEF OF THE DIVISION OF THE SOUTH." "^'^ 

' VwJe Ch.ip. X). 



ANDREW JACKSON. 307 



CONCLUSION. 

Incidents of Gen. Jackson's Ufe — ^lirs character. 

IN concluding these Memoirs, I cannot omit to 
insert a few incidents of Gen. Jackson's life, which 
are not yet embraced in them. 

When sitting as judge of the Supreme Court of 
Tennessee, an atrocious culprit escaped from the 
custody of the sherifT; seized a loaded musket 
with a bayonet ; placed himself in the angle of 
two stone walls, and swore he would shoot the 
first, and bayonet the second man that attempted 
to take him. The sheriff ordered ten men, as 
assistants, but they dared not approach him. The 
sheriff reported the fact to the judge. *^ Summon 
100 men then," said judge Jackson. It was done ; 
but they also feared to arrest him. Upon a second 
report — *' Summon 7?ze then," said the judge. It 
was done. He descended from the bench — ap- 
proached the culprit with a stern countenance, and 
dignified firmness — seized the musket with one 
hand, the culprit with the other, and handed him 
to the sheriff. 

In the most gloomy period of the Creek war, 
when Gen. Jackson's little army was in imminent 
danger from the savages, and still more alarmed 
at the almost certain prospects of famine ; when 
an alarming despondency pervaded the hearts of 
those brave men, who would face death in its most 



308 MEMOIRS OF 

horrible forms, the general invited a number of 
his officers to breakfast with him. Tliey repaired 
to his marquee, and found him sitting, with digni- 
fied composure, under a wide spreading oak, which 
had produced an abundant crop of acrous. " Sit 
down, gentlemen,'* said the general, " this is my 
breakfast, and it is all 1 have to serve yott with; 
but a soldier never despairs. Heaven will bless 
our cause — will preserve us from famine, and re- 
turn us home conquerors." The officers return- 
ed to their tents with encreasiug admiration of 
their general ; adhered to him to the end of the 
war ; and saw his predictions verified. 

The troops before New Orleans embraced many 
of the first young gentlemen, in point of talents, 
education, family, and fortune, in the states of 
Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Missisippi : 
and among them were, of course, many of a rougher 
character. The pleasant raillery, which is the 
very zest of life, when played oif by one gentle- 
man upon another, was unfortunately practised 
upon a captain of a company, who took it in high 
dudgeon. In imitation of the names of Indian 
chiefs, his men called him Capt. Flat-foot. He re- 
monstrated against it to Gen. Jackson, who plea- 
santly remarked — *' Pteally Captain, it is difficult 
getting along with these gay young fellows ; but so 
long as they toil at the lines with such vigour, and 
fight the enemy with such courage, we officers must 
overlook a jittle innocent levity. Why, Captain, 



ANDREW JACKSON. 309 

they call me Old Hickory ; and if you prefer my title 
to your's I will readily make an exchange." The 
Captain retired, proud of the title of Capt. Flatfoot, 
Pages might be filled in relating interesting 
anecdotes, and incidents of Gen. Jackson, which 
would clearly show, that although austere dignity 
is his predominating characteristic, he still posses- 
ses the most amiable and benevolent heart. But the 
work is already extended much beyond the original 
design of it. One subject, however, must not be 
omitted ; that of duelling. That Gen. Jackson has 
a number of times, entered the field of aingle com- 
bat, is not disputed ; but that he ever entered it 
the aggressor, is most unequivocally denied. That 
he has that susceptibility which is always a con- 
comitant with genius and greatness is admitted ; 
but that he ever wantonly provoked an honourable 
man to resort to the sword or pistol for redress, 
is inadraissil'le. Gen. Jackson respects his fellow 
m^n, according to their merits ; and he respects^ 
himself according to his own. He is never guilty 
of insulting with wantonness, and will never be 
Insulted with impunity. 

. If Gen. Jackson, in repelling and punishing the 
rude attacks that have been made on his fame and 
his honour, has resorted to a mode of redress, not 
sanctioned by the laws of his country, it is a mode 
which legislatures have hitherto been unable to 
restrain. 



310 MEMOIRS OF 

In concluding these memoirs, I attempt with deep 
solicitude, briefly to pourtray the exalted character 
who is the subject of them. 

ANDREW JACKSON was born a great man- 
he was born free. The first dawning of his intellect, 
eh'cited the independence of his spirit. As if his 
youthful bloodinstinctively glowed with indigna- 
tion, at the miseries his ancestors had sustained from 
abused power, the first signal act of his life was 
performed in resisting it. Intuitively great, he 
explored the regions of science with the rapidity 
of thought. Acute in observatii)n, he stu<Hed mea 
as he mingled with them. Aspiring in his views, 
he sought for a capacious field as the scene of his 
exertions. He entered the stage of life entirely 
alone. With no extrinsic advantages to raise him 
into life, he sought no aid out of himself, and he 
received no aid but what he commanded by his own 
energy. A theoretical and practical statesman, he 
led the people of Tennessee, to the adoption of a 
constitution, to give permanency to their civil rights 
— A soldier from boy-hood, he led his fellow citizens 
to the frontiers, to preserve them from devastation, 
and the settlers from massacre. Unsatisfied with 
a minor station, every step he gained in his ascent 
to the temple of fame, gave him ne^v vigour in as* 
cending still. He became a senator of the Ameri- 
can Republic ; and to shew the world that his great- 
ness was not derived from his official elevation, he 
retired to the " post of honoui— -a private station," 



ANDREW JACKSON. 3ll 

When the olive of peace ceased to wave over 
the Republic, and the clarion of war assailed the 
ears of her citizens, his military character suddenly 
developed itself Enjc^ying the tranquil charms of 
domestic felicity, the soothins: suggestions of inac- 
tivity urged him to rest. But he was born for his 
country — his country was endangered — its hopes 
were fixed upon him, and he espoused its cause. 

Devoted to the cause of his country from princi- 
ple, he scarcely breathed, after subjugating a savage 
foe, before he thundered defiance to the corq erors 
of the Old World. Upon the banks of the majtsi ic 
Missisippi, he soared before his enemies, in sheets 
of fire — he rendered every defile a Thermopalce, and 
every plain an Amarathon, 

He is deeply versed in the science of human na- 
ture—hence he is rarely deceived in the confidence 
he reposes in his friends, and knows well how to 
detect his enemies. The first he loves, and sets 
the last at defiance. In the discharge of oflacial 
duties, he imparts dignity to the ofiice, and secures 
respect to himself — in the circles of private life, he 
is affable, without descending to low familiarity. 

In his person, he is above the ordinary height, 
elegantly formed, but of very spare habit. But 
" toil has strung his nerves, and piirijied his hlood^"* 
and he can bear any fatigue within the power of 
human endurance. The features of his face have 
that striking peculiarity, which immediately at- 
tracts attention. His large, dark blue eyes, arc 



312 MEMOIRS OF, &C. 

settled deep under prominent arching eye brows, 
which he can clothe in frowns to repel an enemy, 
and dress in smiles to delight his friends — his whole 
person shows that he was born to command. 

In fine, he is loved by his friends — respected by 
his enemies — the favourite of his country, and the 
admiration of the world. 



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